Representatives from Middlesbrough College have praised Esh Construction’s commitment to raising aspirations for Tees Valley residents as a new ‘Constructing Careers’ programme launches.
Working in partnership with the college and Thirteen Group, Esh designed Constructing Careers to engage, enable and excite underrepresented groups into employment by teaching entry level construction skills and employability.
As the inaugural programme reaches its conclusion, Karen Woodland, Associate Director, Business Development & Subcontracting for Adult & Community Learning at Middlesbrough College, has been impressed by the programme’s content and outcomes.
She said: “The Tees Valley area has a lot of construction opportunities, and we want to broaden people’s employment options. Middlesbrough College is very proud to have worked with Esh on this programme. Not only does it open doors to information about various career paths in the industry but the learners are being taught in a practical learning environment, having a taster of multiple areas of the building trade and gaining practical experience outdoors in a real working environment.
“It’s not even just about this cohort either. Hopefully someone will read about Constructing Careers and think, ‘I can do that’ – we have taken people who have zero skills in construction, given them a taster, and whet their appetite to say, this is what you could be doing. Programmes like Constructing Careers not only address the skills gap but also ignite passion, broaden perspectives, and empower learners to build fulfilling careers in construction.”
To source applicants for the programme, Esh attended a careers event at Job Centre Plus in Middlesbrough alongside Middlesbrough College and Thirteen Group representatives, where industry specialists attended to speak with jobseekers about the opportunities available and the benefits of signing up.
Subsequently, a two-week programme saw key teachings on a gateway into building and construction as well as health and safety in construction lessons and practical workshops in bricklaying, plastering and tiling. The cohort worked through Construction Industry Training Board modules before sitting exams to attain their CSCS card, which provides proof that individuals working on construction sites have the appropriate training and qualifications for the job they do.
Constructing Careers is the latest employability scheme launched by Esh Construction, which continues to bolster its social value offering. Esh’s Social Value Manager for the North East, Kate Marshall said: “We know there is a huge skills gap in our sector, particularly in the Tees Valley area, therefore by working with Middlesbrough College we have been able to tailor the Constructing Careers programme to the area’s needs.”
The programme has been delivered in alignment with Esh’s social value commitments on affordable housing projects in Teesside. Working in partnership with Thirteen Group, Esh is building over 500 new homes for affordable rent at Gresham, Grove Hill and Kedward Avenue. As the programme draws to a close, three participants will be selected for 10-week temporary contracts, working as general operatives on the affordable housing schemes.
Marshall added: “The opportunity that awaits three successful candidates will be the chance to gain real life, on-site experience working on some of Esh’s largest affordable housing projects, which will stand them in good stead for future opportunities in the industry.
Across the region we provide 30 bespoke programmes centred around six key themes – employment, education, engagement, environment, employees and the economy. The Constructing Careers programme was developed to give jobseekers insights into roles in our industry and set them on a path to finding their positive destination.”
We know there is a huge skills gap in our sector, particularly in the Tees Valley area, therefore by working with Middlesbrough College we have been able to tailor the Constructing Careers programme to the area’s needs.”