Youth Construction Project Given Funding Lifeline

A project aimed at inspiring the builders and plumbers of tomorrow has been offered a funding lifeline thanks to the support of a leading construction company.

Kier has donated £5,000 to the Wightwick Partnership, a scheme set up to give pupils in Staffordshire the chance to gain trades skill, after hearing it was on the brink of closure.

The sponsorship will keep the construction centre, based at Wightwick Hall School, open, allowing children from local secondary schools to pick up a construction qualification alongside their GCSEs.

Each year, the project sees around 30 Year 10 and 11 pupils from Wightwick Hall School, Codsall Community High, Great Wyrley High School, Cheslyn Hay High School and Kinver High School learn skills in painting and decorating, carpentry and brickwork. Youngsters are taught by tutors from City of Wolverhampton College and pick up a Level 1 Multi Skills qualification.

Curriculum Manager for Construction at the college Joel Dalhouse said: “I’m delighted that this project is able to continue, thanks to the generous support of Kier.

“This programme has been incredibly successful in re-engaging young people, who may be struggling with the more academic pathways, in education, encouraging them to think about their futures and the kind of careers that are out there.”

Paul Elliott, The Chair of the Wightwick Partnership and the CEO of The Endeavour Multi Academy Trust said: “We are delighted that this course has been recognised by Kier as an important contribution to the construction industry. With recent funding cuts schools have struggled to send students to the course. Contributions like this will ensure that we can maintain business as usual and continue producing the outcomes required. Any other local secondary schools reading this and requiring more information please don’t hesitate to get in touch”

Abdul Mozzamdar, Kier Early Careers Manager, said: “Without the commitment and expertise of training facilities like these, construction companies such as Kier would not have a steady pipeline of talent into our industry. As the demand for housing grows and with an aging work force we have to ensure that we have a steady stream of young men and women coming into our industry and to learn the invaluable skills and knowledge from previous generations of construction workers which will allows us to continue good working practices which adds value to our work force and business.

“We recognised the importance of what Wightwick School has achieved with their Construction Training schemes and felt as a business it was our responsibility to support the school to continue providing the outstanding training and life skills taught as part of their construction training programme. This will in turn provide the work ready candidates of the future which the construction industry is currently lacking.”