Member Article

Hull housing development provides boost for local labour force

A NEW housing development in Hull is creating employment and training opportunities for local people thanks to a partnership between house builder Keepmoat, Sanctuary Group and Hull City Council.

Keepmoat is currently building 108 social housing properties at Ganstead Grove for leading UK housing provider Sanctuary in the east of the city, in a three-phase scheme which will be completed in March 2015.

As part of its contract agreements with Sanctuary and Hull City Council, Keepmoat has pledged to employ at least 70 per cent of those working on the development from the local workforce.

Now that target has actually been exceeded - with 80 per cent of site construction workers recruited locally, including 24 bricklayers.

Two new full-time apprenticeship posts have also been created - one joiner and one bricklayer - while a third existing Keepmoat apprentice has been deployed to work on the development of two and three bedroom homes.

Keepmoat is also working to create work experience placements for local school and college students at Ganstead Grove, and workshops and site visits are being hosted by the regeneration specialist to give youngsters an insight into working in the construction industry.

Keepmoat Project Manager Trevor Smallman said: “We have really pulled out all the stops to ensure this regeneration scheme does more than just create fantastic new homes for local people to live in.

“We are also ensuring the scheme maximises employment and training opportunities for people in Hull. This has meant taking on skilled trades people from the city such as bricklayers, while giving young people a chance to learn a trade through the apprenticeship route.

“Ganstead Grove is a chance to showcase the positive impact the construction industry can have on a neighbourhood and it shows that regeneration can be about more than just bricks and mortar. It can also make a real difference to communities and to people’s economic outlook.”

One local person who has benefited from Keepmoat’s commitment to the local labour force is 17-year-old Reece Pettitt who has gained a one-year apprenticeship in joinery and carpentry through the development.

Reece is working on all aspects of house building, including the house’s frames, roofs and interiors, and picking up skills and know-how from more experienced colleagues. He also spends one full day and one evening per week at Hull College where he is working towards an NVQ level 2 in carpentry and joinery.

Reece said: “At school I always knew I didn’t want to work in an office. I like being busy, being creative with my hands and learning new skills. So an apprenticeship was always the route I wanted to take.

“After leaving school I went on to study carpentry at Hull College and it was during my level 1 diploma that I was invited to go for an interview with Keepmoat for an apprenticeship. It was an incredible feeling when I was offered the job.

“I love working on site and get massive satisfaction from playing a part in building new homes for my home city. I’m learning all the time and feel the apprenticeship has been an incredible opportunity.”

As well as constructing new homes at Ganstead Grove, Sanctuary and Keepmoat will also be investing £20,000 in community regeneration initiatives. These include free roofing repairs carried out to a local women’s centre, the Purple House, while free top soil has been donated to the nearby Medina Allotment Association.

Rob Harbourne, development manager for Sanctuary, added: “I am delighted that Keepmoat is exceeding the target which we jointly agreed on employing local labour at Ganstead Grove. It was a key part of our decision when selecting a contractor as with all our development projects across the country. The development will assist in a major housing re-provision in east Hull, while at the same time giving a boost to the local labour market.”

Councillor John Black, Portfolio Holder for Housing at Hull City Council, said: “Work is progressing well at Ganstead Grove as part of the extensive regeneration of this part of Hull. By working with partners such as Keepmoat and Sanctuary we are improving housing choice for local people while breathing new life into existing neighbourhoods.

“But schemes such as Ganstead Grove are also delivering major economic benefits to the city of Hull. As a direct result of the contract agreements we have put in place with Sanctuary and Keepmoat we are ensuring local people are getting the lion’s share of employment and training opportunities created by this scheme.”

All homes being built at Ganstead Avenue will be available for affordable rent - either through Sanctuary Group or Hull City Council. The £11million scheme has received investment from the Homes and Communities Agency and is part of the wider regeneration of the Preston Road area of Hull. A major refurbishment of existing properties is being carried out as well as the construction of more than 1,000 new homes.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Chris Walker .