Already this year has gone full steam ahead for the team at Power In Partnership (PIP) and on site at the Youthy.com development in Runcorn.
This week marks National Apprenticeship Week across the UK , and we’re shining a spotlight on some of our apprentices who have been working on-site over the past few weeks as part of our Reconnecting Runcorn projects.
What makes these apprentices even more special is their journey – they’ve come through PIP, a local Halton based organisation that supports young people aged 16-24 in gaining skills, qualifications, and ultimately securing employment. Several apprenticeship opportunities have been created across various construction projects, from the Brindley Enhancement to the new Youthy.com centre.
The first two apprentices, Matty and Danny started on site at 57-59 High Street at the beginning of February with Warden Contractors, after completing their asbestos awareness, Construction Skills Certification Scheme and Health & Safety qualifications with the support and funding from PIP.
Matty has been with PIP for eight years initially starting on a Halton Housing trust placement in construction before gaining lots of qualifications and skills over the years between bits of work before gaining this apprenticeship. After starting out on this apprenticeship a few days a week with Wardens, Matty has now been offered full time employment with another construction firm in Widnes.
“This apprenticeship gave me confidence to keep applying for jobs, as I previously felt like I was getting nowhere. The support from the managers at Wardens was great they kept me very busy and allowed me to show skills on the building site that has made me feel more competent in learning different trades and different skills that I can contribute to my new employment.” – Matty
Danny, 16, has been engaging with the youth club run by PIP and regularly volunteers at football with the other young people at the club. While on his apprenticeship Danny has learned “hands on skills, teamwork and communication skills alongside safety practices” and he is really enjoying helping to build what will be a really important safe space for the young people of Runcorn to come, learn and grow.
Reconnecting Runcorn is an ambitious programme of projects that will collectively improve the lives and livelihoods of local people and boost the local economy through providing more opportunities after being awarded £23.6m in 2021 from the UK Government Towns Fund as part of the Town Deals Programme. As we can see from Danny and Matty, the positive impact of this programme is not just apparent once all the projects are complete but it’s already having that impact now. Giving them and others the opportunities to learn new skills and improve their employment opportunities right from the start. Keep your eye out for what the next apprentices discover when they start on site at The Brindley Enhancement.
Matty, Apprentice, Chris Haunch, Warden Site Manager, Danny, Apprentice, on site at Youthy.com