A £1million joint initiative between Lloyds Bank, property group Lendlease and Newham Council has launched to encourage more young people into a career in construction.
The Lloyds Bank Construction Skills Centre is a pioneering new initiative delivered by Newham Council and Lendlease and funded by the £1million Lloyds Bank Construction Skills Fund announced last year. The Centre is based at International Quarter London, Lendlease’s £2.4billion commercial development located at the gateway to the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford.
The council will use the Centre through its successful job brokerage service Workplace to host a series of education, information and training activities, showcasing construction career opportunities.
Operating as a hub for the coordination of construction professionals and operatives, the Lloyds Bank Construction Skills Centre will enable Workplace to increase the delivery of bespoke training for residents of Newham, to support them to gain construction skills in preparation for their first job on site. It will also fund in-work training for those residents who have shown an aptitude for construction work and who, upon completion, will secure more sustainable and higher paid employment.
Additionally, the Fund will deliver a programme of educational activity to inspire children and young people to become the next generation of construction workers through apprenticeships and higher education and training pathways. In order to develop this work, construction specialists will be asked to become ambassadors for the industry so they can visit schools and other educational organisations to inform, educate and inspire young people.
The funding for the project was made available by Lloyds Bank through a competitive process as part of the Bank’s commitment to help Britain prosper by improving employability. It is also in response to housebuilders’ calls for more and better construction skills training.
Newham Council saw off competition from three other bidders to secure the £1million Fund. The Fund was provided specifically to deliver training, education and recruitment initiatives for four years between 2016 and 2020.
Councillor Terence Paul, mayoral adviser for skills and adult learning, said: “This incredible initiative will provide a unique centre which will equip young people with the skills necessary to work in a variety of different construction roles, both onsite and in managerial jobs. We want to help our young people build a career in the industry and support them when they want to upskill.
“This centre is also a great example of private and public partnership working which is what makes our Workplace scheme such a success. Workplace’s success is built on close and trusting partnerships with employers. Rapid economic development means the construction sector in Newham is booming and it is essential that we work closely with developers to ensure our residents can make the most of any job opportunities created.”
Ed Thurman, Group Ambassador for London and MD, Financial Institutions, Lloyds Banking Group said: “The Lloyds Bank Construction Skills Centre will have a positive impact on young people in the area, helping to improve education and employability. We launched the £1 million Construction Skills Fund last year to provide focused skills training in the construction sector and drive our commitment to helping Britain, and London, prosper.”
Ian Crockford, Project Director at International Quarter London said: “We’re thrilled to be working together with Lloyds Bank and Newham Council to deliver such an important initiative. Addressing the construction skills gap is a critical issue and giving local people access to career and training opportunities has never been more important for the construction industry.
“Given some of the largest redevelopment projects in the world are underway here in London, the fact Lloyds Bank selected Newham Council to partner with is testament to the scale and ambition of transformation taking place in the borough. The Olympic legacy is working, and it is partnerships such as this that are key to securing lasting prosperity and employment opportunities for East London.”