Housing trust tells apprentices: 'You're hired!'

12:29pm Wednesday 6th August 2008

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A social housing provider is helping seven new apprentices build careers in the construction industry.

Incommunities, formerly called Bradford Community Housing Trust, has welcomed its newest recruits aged 16 to 44.

Of the seven, four of them are female.

As well as working on site with experienced tradespeople, the apprentices will go to college one day a week to get NVQ qualifications.

The new intake puts Incommun-ities’ apprenticeship numbers at 29, covering jobs from plumbing to joinery, plastering to painting.

The seven were recruited with the help of City Training Services and Youthbuild. They are Lee Christie, 17, Jamie Firth, 17, John Fawcett, 16, Natalie Cusack, 17, Nusayba Sulaymann, 18, Dawn Ayres, 44, and Lisa Kaye, 32.

Delroy Beverley, who is director of Incommunities-propertysolutions, said: “We got more than 300 applications for just seven places which reflects the organisation’s reputation as a leading construction player and our proactive campaign to promote our apprenticeship programme in local schools.”

The property solutions arm of the Trust tackles more than 80,000 repairs a year and director of Incommunities Greg Robinson says apprentices are at the heart of their business.

Youngest recruit and former Beckfoot School pupil John Fawcett, of Shipley, said: “I’m really looking forward to training as an electrician.

“I went on work experience from school to Incommunities last year and really liked it. It’s really exciting to work for such a big organisation as this.”

DIY enthusiast Mrs Ayres, of Baildon, joined the apprenticeship programme after completing a one-year foundation course in construction and a City and Guilds course in plumbing – both at Bradford College.

She said: “I decided on a career in plumbing after going to college. I really enjoy doing DIY jobs with my husband and thought this was a great opportunity for me.”

Plans are being drawn up for a week in October when Bradford’s Centenary Square will be turned into a giant building site.

To get more women interested in careers in construction, a marquee will be set up in the square during National Construction Showcase Week, starting on October 13, with exhibition stands and practical demonstrations giving a taste of what construction is all about and offering visitors the chance to get hands-on.

It is being organised by Incommunities-property solutions with support from its local contract partners Wates. More building suppliers, services and organisations are still needed to get onboard and help sponsor the event.

Pupils at primary and secondary schools will be invited to visit the marquee and the doors will be opened to the public later in the afternoon and evening. Anyone interested should call (01274) 257498.

e-mail: kathie.griffiths@telegraphandargus.co.uk