Member Article

Partnership to provide apprenticeships on Manchester's First Street project

Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce has developed a partnership agreement with the main contractors working on the First Street development in central Manchester.

Key representatives from Manchester City Council, Ask Developments, Wates and Carillion signed the agreement, which asks each partner to support sustainable apprenticeships and training opportunities through their work on the First Street site.

The apprentices will be employed through the Chamber’s Construction Group Training Association (GTA), which is a collection of employers, procurers and training providers who work collaboratively within the industry to generate sustainable training opportunities.

The GTA manages the timesheets, payroll and invoicing for the apprentices, and the on-the-job training is shared amongst the host contractors. There are 30 apprentices already lined up to start work on the site.

Jocelyne Underwood, Chamber’s the Group Training Association Manager, said: “We designed the partnership programme, which we believe is unique in the region, to ensure that apprentices have a clear and consistent learning path, with a group of employers who each know what their role is, and understand the training targets for the apprentice.

“The First Street project is a fantastic opportunity for apprentices to gain experience in the industry and work with a range of different contractors to build up their skills.”

When completed, the £25m First Street site will spread over 20 acres and include a cultural centre, hotel, serviced apartments, a car park, offices, bars, restaurants and shops. The estimated date for completion is March 2015.

Ryland Howard is one of the first apprentices to be signed up to the First Street project.

He said: “I’m looking forward to working on such a high-profile site with lots of opportunities for me to learn about the construction industry and expand my skills as an apprentice.

“Knowing that my training is being managed by the GTA to enable me to get the best experience I can, and learn from some of the biggest companies in the industry is reassuring, as I know this will help me with my career in the future. The GTA have given me a great foundation to start my working life with.”

This is the third partnership agreement that the Chamber’s Construction GTA has established, and the first that combines both public and private sector bodies. Agreements with Trafford and Rochdale Local Authorities have already been set up, and agreements with Bolton and Oldham local councils will follow later this year.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Simon Malia .