Member Article

Laying the foundations for careers in construction

As the UK promotes National Apprenticeship Week (8th – 14th Feb), a partnership responsible for regenerating the west end of Newcastle is committing to employ 75 apprenticeships.

Following Keepmoat Homes buy out of Barratt Homes’ interest in the New Tyne West Development Company (NTWDC) – the joint venture behind the award winning* Scotswood development, The Rise – the housebuilder is committed to providing local training and job opportunities.

The deal paves the way for the regeneration specialist which, since 2016 has built almost 800 homes across eight sites in the city, to support a further £120 million investment by NTWDC in the project over the next five years. This will include the recruitment of 75 apprentices over the lifetime of the project.

Working with Newcastle Futures, Generation NE and Newcastle College, NTWDC has already supported 15 young people through their apprenticeships since construction began in 2013.

Geoff Scott, Social and Economic Impact Manager with Keepmoat Homes, said: “From the very beginning of this ambitious regeneration of Scotswood, NTWDC and its partners have been passionate about involving and engaging the local community and providing jobs and training opportunities for local people.

“Despite the restrictions posed by Covid, we are dedicated to helping build the next generation of construction workers. It is important that we demonstrate the wide and varied roles that are available in the industry. We are confident that the apprentices to benefit from work placement at The Rise, Scotswood will gain a wide and varied experience that will hold them in good stead for their future careers.”

The New Tyne West Development Company (NTWDC) - a partnership launched by Newcastle City Council with Keepmoat Homes and Barratt Homes – was established to breathe new life into the west of the city through a £265 million, housing led regeneration programme.

When completed, The Rise will comprise around 1,800 homes with its own £6 million district heating system – already in place – and a neighbourhood centre, including community, retail and health provision space.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Paul Dobbie .