Apprentices build a bright future

Eleven young people have found jobs and apprenticeships in thegrowing construction world thanks to a unique Salford partnership involving Salix Homes.

The partnership, entitled Build Salford, is a 16-week traineeship which aims to help local people reap the benefits of the city’s current building boom.

Of the eleven ‘graduates’ of the scheme, six live in Salix Homes neighbourhoods and one, David Houghton, is a Salix Homes tenant.

David made great progress during the course and even managed to secure an apprenticeship with Cara Brickwork at Middlewood Locks.

Salix Homes is joined by some of the some of the biggest and best construction companies and social housing providers in the area to make up Build Salford, which is managed by Salford City College and supported by Salford City Council.

The project, a legacy from the successful Pendleton Together and Build Ordsall traineeships, provided the candidates with a wide range of industry experiences, including substantial work experience, guest lectures, site visits and crucial industry-focused training.

Salix Homes, as lead sponsor, provided financial support, construction resources and staffing expertise, along with many other firms and organisations including Seddon, Keepmoat Regeneration, Keepmoat Homes, Caseys, Galliford Try, Together Housing, Great Places and Clarion.

Councillor Lisa Stone, lead member for children’s and young people’s services, said the project was a huge success: “Salford is experiencing one of the biggest building booms in the country. Schemes like Build Salford help young people tap into that opportunity through training and real work experience with leaders in the industry. It’s invaluable in helping our talented young people build a great future for themselves.”

Allan Milne, assistant director of apprenticeships at Salford City College, added: “The trainees have taken advantage of this great opportunity provided by some of our excellent employer partners. The vast majority have secured the chance to develop a career in an amazing sector.”

The partnership has unanimously agreed that the success of Build Salford should not stop here, with Build Salford 2 already in the pipeline for early 2018.

For further information on joining Build Salford 2 or if you are keen to find out more about apprenticeships in the construction or other sectors, please call the Salford City College Apprenticeship team on 0161 631 5555 option 2 or emailapprenticeshipsteam@student.salfordcc.ac.uk

For apprenticeship opportunities at Salix Homes, email jackie.crook@salixhomes.co.uk or call 0800 218 2000.