A Castleford resident who had been unable to secure a role on construction sites for three years after finishing college has been given new hope after securing his first role on site with Esh Construction.
A lack of on-site experience had resulted in a number of rejections for Billy Goodwin, aged 21, who then spotted the Pemberton Road housing development from his window, as works got underway in March 2021.
When site signage disclosed Esh Construction as the contractor, Billy jumped at the chance to get in touch. He said: “I’ve always wanted to work in construction, even growing up, whenever there was construction work going on, I would always get involved. I left college three years ago and applied for different site-based roles, but I was always told I needed experience. When Esh started working at Pemberton Road, I thought I’d call the company to see if they were employing.”
Esh Contracts Manager Craig Simpson invited Billy, who is qualified with a Level 2 in both Bricklaying and Maintenance Operations from Wakefield College, to the Pemberton Road site to discuss his experience further. Craig said: “I knew I had to meet with Billy when he got in contact, he lived so close to site and had all the qualifications, he just needed that first person to give him an opportunity.
“At Esh, we’re passionate about employing local and supporting our communities, I’m delighted that we were able to give Billy his first role on a construction site. He is a real asset to the team, very trustworthy, and reliable and is doing a fantastic job.”
Previously employed at Diggerland and a local food store, Billy now occupies the role of site operative and qualified forklift driver and has settled into life with Esh over the last three months. “I’m loving it, I love being on site,” added Billy. “Everyone is really good to work with. Esh has put me through a forklift driving certificate and I’ll start labouring once we get more bricklaying squads on site.
“As soon as I visited a construction site in my first year at college, I knew from then that’s what I wanted to do. My ultimate goal is to have a career in bricklaying, or even driving the machines.”
Esh Construction is delivering the Pemberton Road scheme on behalf of Leeds Federated Housing Association (LFHA) and WDH. The scheme will provide 82 new homes for affordable rent and shared ownership.
I knew I had to meet with Billy when he got in contact, he lived so close to site and had all the qualifications, he just needed that first person to give him an opportunity. At Esh, we’re passionate about employing local and supporting our communities, I’m delighted that we were able to give Billy his first role on a construction site. He is a real asset to the team, very trustworthy, and reliable and is doing a fantastic job.”
