1 week Ago By Shelagh Parkinson
Penial Jonah, 16, and Charlie Congleton, 17, are among 12 youngsters who have found work in the building industry thanks to the massive project to provide a new base for the DWP (Department for Work and Pensions). Advertisement Advertisement Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Lancashire Evening Post, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. They both left school with few qualifications but have now gained valuable training thanks to a construction skills centre created at the site between King Street and Cookson Street.
Penial has completed qualifications in English and maths, as well as training with JCS Interiors and has now registered on a full time T Level studying Design, Planning and Management. He said: “I have learnt so many things on the course, including health and safety and why it is important, as well as bricklaying and groundwork skills. I loved creating designs with block paving.
In future I would like to be an architect or a project manager.” Advertisement Advertisement The young people on the scheme approached The Platform, Blackpool Council’s job and skills hub for young people, and the on-site training provided by Skills Construction Centre. Charlie, from South Shore, completed work experience with JCS Interiors where he is now working as a trainee plasterer.
Join our new WhatsApp Community to get the latest news and top stories from across Lancashire directly to your phone Advertisement Advertisement He said: “I’ve loved this course and the time I’ve spent with JCS Interiors and the team. I’m always open to learning new skills and anything that will benefit me. Plastering will always be my main ambition.
” Construction has also created 223 jobs, with one third of those hired locally, with more than 60 people taken out of unemployment. More than £25m has been spent with local sub-contractors and almost 500 weeks of apprenticeships have been created. Coun Jo Farrell, Blackpool Council’s cabinet member for communities and wellbeing, said: “We’re keen to make sure our regeneration is about people, just as much as it is about places.
To do that, we have a clause in our contracts that ensures all contractors who work with us commit to finding local workers and using local businesses where possible.” The seven-storey building is being delivered by Blackpool Council, alongside its development partner Muse, and main contractor VINCI Building and is due to be completed next year..
