Esh Construction has teamed up with Newcastle College and the Newcastle United Foundation to launch its latest Constructing Careers programme.
The three-week programme will teach a range of entry level construction skills and provide employability tools to those looking to kickstart their career in construction with a pathway into employment.
12 people have enrolled onto the latest edition of the programme, with participants spending the next three weeks gaining the necessary training and skills to pursue a career in the industry.
Kate Marshall, Esh’s Social Value Manager for the North East, said: “Esh Group is committed to creating meaningful pathways into the construction industry, ensuring that opportunities are accessible to all. Working with all partners, we are equipping participants with the skills needed to take their first steps into employment and in doing so, we hope to bridge the skills gap in the sector and support the next generation of construction professionals.”
An integral part of the programme will see the group work through Construction Industry Training Board modules before sitting exams to attain their CSCS card, while also undergoing practical workshops in a range of construction trades, including joinery, brickwork, plastering and carpentry. Esh Group employees will support in programme delivery, with sessions to be delivered including Health and Safety and CV and employability workshops, as well as a site visit to one of Esh’s live construction sites.
The course will conclude with interviews undertaken by Esh, its supply chain and other companies in the region, with the potential for candidates to secure a work placement or employment if they successfully complete the course.
Jessica Mullarkey, Senior Employment and Apprenticeships Coordinator at Newcastle United Foundation, said: “Each year we work with dozens of young people to remove barriers preventing them from securing employment, education or training opportunities. By providing pathways into construction alongside Esh Construction and Newcastle College, we can inspire and engage young people to explore careers in our region.
“Participants joining this three-week programme will not only learn new skills and gain real industry experience on site, but they will crucially build their confidence, allowing them to positively engage in future opportunities.”
Newcastle College will host the first two weeks of the programme, with students availing of its Construction Academy. Principal Jon Ridley said: “We are delighted to be working with Esh Construction and Newcastle United Foundation to offer an accessible pathway into a career in the construction sector.
“Working in collaboration to develop a skilled workforce and creating talent for our region is central to everything we do at Newcastle College.
“This is an exciting project that will have a real impact on those who take part. It will equip participants with the skills they need to succeed and offer them an excellent opportunity to gain employment on completion.”
The latest edition of Constructing Careers follows a successful programme in Middlesbrough in April 2024, while a similar programme is currently running in Yorkshire, where Rotherham residents are also accessing new routes into construction.
Esh Group is committed to creating meaningful pathways into the construction industry, ensuring that opportunities are accessible to all. Working with all partners, we are equipping participants with the skills needed to take their first steps into employment and in doing so, we hope to bridge the skills gap in the sector and support the next generation of construction professionals.”