YOUNG people in Daventry are being given more opportunities to access work experience in the construction industry thanks to a unique post at a housing association.
Daventry & District Housing (DDH) housing assistant Dallas Cox has been trained by Connaught Partnerships Ltdas a work experience ambassador to help students from Daventry schools on work placements.
The move is set to double the number of work experience placements open to year ten students and people studying a national diploma in construction from 13 to more than 25 in 2010.
Daventry & District Housing is working with Connaught to improve affordable homes across the district by fitting new kitchens, bathrooms, central heating and double glazing. The work is part of Daventry & District Housing’s five-year, £43m major home improvement programme.
The partnership is also committed to supporting work experience students and training opportunities.
DDH’s newly qualified work experience ambassador will be working with two Connaught work experience ambassadors to mentor students from William Parker, Danetre, Guilsborough and Campion schools.
DDH work experience ambassador Dallas Cox explained her new role will involve mentoring work experience students to ensure they get the most out of placements.
She said: “I will be able to offer students who come on work placements support and advice. They will be able to approach me as a friendly face if they need any help, as well as asking for guidance on coursework.
“My training involved interview techniques, understanding body language and relating to young people. I am really looking forward to working with students and the other work experience ambassadors at Connaught. It is vital the young people get the most out of their work placements.
“In the recession it is getting harder for young people leaving school to find employment, so it is hoped increasing work experience opportunities will help school leavers get jobs in the construction industry.“
Connaught champions work experience in the construction industry, having 34 work experience ambassadors operating across the Midlands.
Operations manager for Connaught David Hinchley explained: “We are going to be taking on more work experience learners than ever before. Now that we have a trained Daventry & District Housing member of staff we have more scope to reach more young people.
“It is essential that young people are given these opportunities to experience the industry hands on so they can make informed career choices.”
DDH and Connaught are also offering apprenticeships and this has led to the launch of the first Skills Academy in the East Midlands to improve the skills of those working in construction in the region.
The National Skills Academy programme is a Government initiative led by the Learning Skills Council designed to drive up the standard of industry training.
One in six construction workers have no formal qualifications and two thirds of employers report problems finding sufficiently skilled and experienced staff.
