North Kensington housing project unlocks training and employment opportunities

Young people aged 16 to 24 have benefited from work experience, apprenticeships and education opportunities provided as part of a Kensington and Chelsea Council new homes development.

Marky Jimenez, 17-year-old apprentice working at the Acklam Road new homes sites, said: “The Acklam Road project has given me a once in a lifetime opportunity, and I am committed to continuing my learning journey and excited to acquire new skills and knowledge that will benefit me for many years to come.

“It’s been an incredible experience that has prepared me for the future along with various career progression opportunities.”

Through the contract to build 32 new homes at Acklam Road, North Kensington, the Council and construction partner Morgan Sindall have provided six local jobs, taken on five work experience candidates, and invested in eight apprentices in collaboration with Morgan Sindall’s Supply Chain Partners and Community Development 4 All, a local social enterprise.

Cllr Sof McVeigh, Lead member for Housing Management, Housing Safety, and Building New Homes, commented: “This project highlights the importance of social value in community building and the impact it has on our communities.

“I want to extend my thanks to our development partners for playing their part in supporting and creating jobs and training opportunities for our communities to thrive.

“We want to continue to invest and expand our efforts by working together to create a vibrant and inclusive community supporting our ambition to become a Greener, Safer and Fairer borough for all.”

Morgan Sindall engaged with over 450 students and arranged site visits to the Acklam Road development and construction talks for pupils at schools and academies in the borough, while volunteers spent 30 hours cleaning and planting the community garden at Al Manaar Cultural and Heritage Centre based near the construction site.

Project Director Lee Askey at Morgan Sindall added: “Our social value commitment at Morgan Sindall is to create long-lasting, environmentally sustainable communities.

“We are so proud of our social value achievements on the Acklam Road project; we have established fantastic relationships with numerous key partners and stakeholders, creating opportunities in order to give back to the local community.”

By Matthew Neville – Senior Correspondent, Bdaily

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