Member Article

Leeds trainees brush up their skills at the Victoria Gate site

With the help of Yorkshire-based regeneration charity, re’new, three trainees from Leeds were given the opportunity to undertake a three-week work experience placement at the Victoria Gate site, as part of the charity’s Renewal Construction project.

Joshua Dodd, Perrie Bell and Dylan Robinson were tasked with preparing a site office for the Victoria Gate construction team, offering the young apprentices an insight into the painting and decorating trade.

Throughout the work experience placement, the enthusiastic trio learnt new skills including how to prepare walls before painting, developed existing techniques and experienced life on a live construction site.

Talking about his placement, Joshua from Middleton said: “During our time with the Victoria Gate team we have all learnt lots of different things about the painting and decorating trade. One of our responsibilities was to ensure that the walls were filled, taped and looked neat before painting, which I really enjoyed.”

After completing the Victoria Gate work experience programme and a painting and decorating qualification at Leeds College of Building, Perrie Bell said: “The time I have spent working here has been great. It’s given me more experience, which has helped me to learn new techniques and how to work faster. I hope to undertake more work experience placements in the future to help secure myself a job when opportunities become available.”

Renewal Construction’s site manager John Dawson, who accompanied the trainees throughout their placement, said: “The lads have been brilliant. All three of them have turned up early and shown a really keen and conscientious approach to their work. As well as mentoring the trainees on the skills required for painting and decorating, we have also focused on site ethics and the lads will soon undertake CSCS training, further tests and scaffolding qualifications in the near future. I have received glowing feedback from the Victoria Gate team about the quality of their work and attitude. They’ve done a brilliant job.”

As re’new continues to work alongside the Victoria Gate team, more work experience placements and job opportunities will be made available to local people on the Victoria Gate site.

Jon Brookes, Hammerson’s community manager said: “We are thrilled to hear that the trainees have benefitted from the Victoria Gate apprenticeship. This experience will help to broaden their career prospects in the construction sector and hone their skills when looking for permanent jobs. We wish them all the best of luck.”

Simon Trevor, Regional Manager at Sir Robert McAlpine Ltd said: “As the main contractor for Victoria Gate, we understand the importance of ensuring that local tradespeople have access to employment opportunities. In total the scheme will create thousands of jobs in construction and retail. Sir Robert McAlpine will work with its supply chain to endeavour to create approximately 35 short-term apprenticeships that will be offered to local people.

“Victoria Gate will be a fantastic addition to Leeds’ retail landscape and the scheme will help to bolster the local economy with the creation of new jobs and increased spend in the city.”

If you are interested in hearing more about the construction opportunities available at the Victoria Gate site please contact Construction & Housing Yorkshire.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Victoria Gate .