Case Studies “Get into Construction” The Prince’s Trust Programme

Education

Ysgol Glancegin – Wynne Construction

The Challenge:

Gwynedd Council are committed to the delivery of work placements and, in particular, supporting local people who are NEETs and/or long-term unemployed. A key focus of the Ysgol Glancegin new school project and the demolition of the existing school, was to focus on unemployed people in the Maesgeirchen community who needed this support and opportunity for work experience. The programme delivered on the core elements the employment and skills plans for work placements and job creation, under the National Skills Academy for Construction KPIs and targets.

The Response:

Our main contractor for the scheme, Wynne Construction supported the first-ever “Get into Construction” programme in the Gwynedd and Anglesey region, delivered by the youth charity the Prince’s Trust. The programme was supported by the North Wales Construction Framework and other contractors Willmott Dixon and Kier Construction. Established by The Prince’s Trust, the course provides training and vocational experience to help unemployed young people aged 16-25 to find employment.

The comprehensive programme, involved an interview and selection process for potential candidates to gain a place on the scheme. The successfully candidates then undertook a week of training in employability skills, CV writing, health and safety training and sat the required CSCS test for construction. This followed with a two-week work placement on site and Wynne Construction supported two candidates on the scheme at Ysgol Glancegin.

The Results:
Harrison Griffiths and Andrew Davies were selected for their work placement at the Ysgol Glancegin project. Harrison, who lives in Maesgeirchen, had studied a pre-vocational course, levels 1 and 2, at Coleg Menai although had struggled to find work and wanted to gain experience in the construction industry. Andrew, who lived locally was interested in groundworks but had been working in warehouses, prior to his unemployment.

Harrison worked alongside our mechanical and electrical contractors for the two weeks and has now enrolled on a course at the local college to study plumbing. He hopes to achieve an apprenticeship in the coming months. Andrew, who worked with the groundworkers and site labouring team, has secured a position with civil engineering company, Jones Bros and is now in full-time employment working on plant and machinery.

In addition, five other young people achieved successful outcomes from the “Get into Construction” programme. One is an apprentice with a Gwynedd-based plastering contractor and others are working for Kier Construction and Willmott Dixon directly at their sites on Anglesey.

Phil Jones, Director for The Prince’s Trust Cymru, said, “We are delighted to work alongside Wynne Construction and the North Wales Construction Framework to provide opportunities for young people. Congratulations to Harrison and the other young people who are making great strides towards their futures.”

Transferable Solutions:

Following on this success, the North Wales Construction Framework and the Prince’s Trust have run another successful programme across the Flintshire/Wrexham counties, supporting the young people in the region. Wynne Construction took part in the programme with their current projects in Wrexham and Flintshire.

Equally, Wynne Construction continue to support the DWP and Job Centre Plus in hosting workshops and training for the CSCS test to help support NEETs and the long-term unemployed in gaining this qualification which is a requirement in the industry.