28
5
2021-22
6
THE CHALLENGE
The Covid-19 pandemic and ensuing lockdowns had a dramatic effect on employment levels throughout the UK, with the number of people in work falling and economic inactivity rising.
In 2021 EN:Able Communities sought to support people in the Hull city area with barriers to training and employment to boost their prospects of gaining a job. The charity sought funding from B&CE through the Mowlem Award and the ESF Community Grants programme to deliver free entry level training into construction.
I’ve worked in construction before, installing roof trusses, doing joinery. I’ve been out of work for the last 2 years. The DWP referred me to this course. It was brilliant. The staff were phenomenal. I’m now waiting for confirmation that I have a job with Bureau Engineering doing civil works to install digital cable
Andy | Learner, CS4L
THE OUTCOME
With funding from the B&CE Mowlem Award and the Humber Learning Consortium ESF fund, EN:Able Communities ran CS4L (Construction Skills 4 Life), entry level construction training courses from November 2021 to May 2022 at the Humber Construction Hub on Wawne Road, Bransholme, Hull.
The programme of 5 x 2-week courses trained 28 people at no cost to them over 6 months and was a great success.
The learners, who were previously unemployed, were trained to gain entry level qualifications in basic skills required to work on construction sites. This included Manual Handling, Emergency First Aid, Health and Safety, Practical Skills, CSCS Cards alongside employability training to help them use the experience and their new skills and qualifications to access jobs. Many of the learners travelled to the course on bicycles.
The free courses also provided learners with the opportunity to gain real hands-on work experience, training with local provider Source Solutions.
LEARNER SPOTLIGHT
Joseph had a few jobs since leaving school, working as a labourer for small landscaping and construction firms and in garages, doing tyre replacements.
When his father, who works for local Hull-based civil engineering company M B Roche and Sons, asked Director Dan Roche if the firm had any opportunities, Dan employed Joseph through the EN:Able Communities DWP Kickstart Gateway. Joseph completed his Level 1 Health and Safety in Construction through EN:Able Communities Introduction to Construction course, enabling him to work as a labourer on Roche’s project on Holderness Road in Hull.
Joseph went on to pursue his CSCS card and felt much more confident and valued as part of the team. M B Roche & Sons were also very happy with Joseph and appreciated his practical skills and reliability.
I came to the UK in 2009 as a refugee from the Congo. After doing an IT and business course at college I struggled to find work in factories and completed a fishing course and worked on a boat for a few months until the season went quiet. This course is great. I’ve learned more in depth First Aid training and that there’s more to painting than picking up a brush. Having my CSCS card will help me establish a landscaping company.”
Mohammed | Learner, CS4L
EN:Procure
EN:Able Futures
EN:Able Build
EN:Able Communities