Renaissance supports local skills with extra apprentices

The Renaissance Consortium in east Manchester, led by housebuilder Lovell, is extending its construction apprenticeship for another year with seven more training places.

The continuation of the traineeship follows recruitment of 10 local people in the housing consortium's regeneration area in Miles Platting last August.

The apprenticeship scheme is backed by New East Manchester, Skills Solutions and MANCAT (Manchester College of Arts and Technology).

The training programme offers east Manchester residents the chance to gain qualifications in building trades including plastering, joinery or to learn a variety of trades as a multi-skilled apprentice.

Renaissance is made up of Lovell, Adactus Housing Association and Investors in the Community. The consortium is delivering a major private finance initiative for Manchester City Council and urban regeneration company New East Manchester.

The redevelopment includes the refurbishment of 1,520 council houses and flats and the construction of over 1,000 new homes.

"The apprentices who began training with us last year have made great progress and are already well on their way to successful careers," said Lovell regional training advisor Sharon Tyer. "We're now looking for a new intake of local trainees to join them. All trainees have an individual training programme which is made up of practical experience, working alongside experienced craftspeople at Miles Platting, combined with, college-based training at MANCAT or the national Lovell Craft Academy."

Curtis Buckley, 17, pictured, from Ancoats, was taken on as an apprentice plasterer after leaving school last year. He is working towards his NVQ Level 2 qualification learning his trade by working on the Miles Platting refurbishment programme and attending MANCAT for one day a week. "It's going well," he says. "I work with experienced plasterers on site who show me what to do and I can always ask them for help if I'm not sure of something. I want to get qualified and in the future would like to have my own business."

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