Local authorities across south Essex are working together to support the training of over 1600 local people for jobs in the construction industry by 2020.
This follows a successful bid for £1m of funding from the Construction Skills Fund, led by Southend-on-Sea Borough Council and put together by local authorities across south Essex, including Basildon, Castle Point, Thurrock and Rochford Councils.
Plans have been put in place for three construction hubs to be set up in locations across south Essex at Basildon Town Centre, the Airport Business Park Southend, and Thurrock. These hubs, located on or adjacent to construction sites will be central to training people up for these construction positions.
Councils will be working closely with the construction companies and the sub-contractors to identify which skills they need on site and what roles they are recruiting for so individuals can be trained to match these needs.
The news comes as the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) announced that they would be setting up the Construction Skills Fund (CSF), which is backed and funded by the Department for Education. This programme is designed to enhance the construction industry as the government aims to build 1 million homes in the UK by 2020.
Sarah Beale, Chief Executive of CITB, said: “The Construction Skills Fund can be a genuine game-changer for both the construction industry and the individuals being trained. We have a massive need for homegrown talent and these projects will bring thousands of new people into our sector, giving them the crucial onsite experience they need to start a career in construction. These 26 hubs will be based at some of the most innovative sites in the UK, and CITB will be working hard to make sure they deliver the skills our industry critically needs.”
