Havant residents get the tools for a new career

Residents have learnt the skills they need for a career in construction thanks to a specialist scheme.

Funded by Havant Borough Council using developer contributions, the Employment Learning and Skills Service has been helping Havant residents since 2017.

This year’s graduates have secured a number of certificates including those covering health and safety, first aid, carpentry and the use of abrasive wheels. They have also learnt the practical skills needed for plumbing, roofing, electrics, tiling and bricklaying.

The scheme is open to anyone who is currently out of work or looking to retrain. It is designed to help residents get back on track or onto a new career path. To help them achieve this, career guidance and lessons on CV writing and interview preparation are included as part of the course.

In its second year, twenty residents completed the scheme and secured CSCS cards – a certificate enabling them to work on construction sites. Of these graduates, fifteen went straight into employment.

Councillor Tim Pike, Cabinet Lead for Planning, Regeneration and Communities, said: “This specialist training continues to give our residents a helping hand towards securing the career they want, with many graduates already finding employment within the construction industry.

“As a council, we are committed to building the level of skills that we have in the borough, so it’s great to see how successful this scheme has been.”

The Employment Learning and Skills Service is delivered by Portsmouth City Council and offers back to work programmes to those who are unemployed, disabled or disadvantaged.

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