Job seekers gain skills as part of housing refurbishment

Kirkholt Housing trainees: Aaron Haycock, Paul Morris, Matthew Kemp and David Barlow

Work has started on the third house in an innovative project which combines housing regeneration and support for unemployed people in Rochdale.

Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH) is working in partnership with Groundwork Oldham & Rochdale to provide employment opportunities whilst improving Rochdale’s housing stock.

The project involves recruiting and training unemployed people and giving them the opportunity to gain real experience by refurbishing an empty house on Kirkholt estate in Rochdale.

A group of four trainees are the latest to sign up to the 15-week voluntary course, which has already benefitted eight learners, seven of whom have gone on to full time employment.

Daniel Starkey, aged 29 and from Kirkholt was on the last training scheme and is delighted with how things have gone. “The scheme was a fantastic experience, he said,

“The Groundwork staff really helped me along the way, giving me good support and encouragement. It drives you forward to move to a better life and has widened my horizons.”

Participants gain a Construction Skills Certification Scheme card which all construction businesses require in order for operatives to work on site. They also complete the Construction Skills Level 1 in Building Craft Occupations.

Phil Treaton, Land and Design Manager for Groundwork Oldham & Rochdale said: “Our innovative project in Kirkholt is an excellent example of how Groundwork brings together different elements of regeneration to provide increased benefits for local people. We would like to thank Rochdale Boroughwide Housing for their continued support of this scheme.”

Nicky Morris, Priority Areas Manager for Rochdale Boroughwide Housing said: “Access to jobs and training is a real priority for our communities.

“This project has been a success story in how we as a company can use investment in physical improvements to affect change for our tenants.”