Groundwork Wakefield

Wakefield Homebuilder

Unemployment in the Wakefield District is above the national average yet there is a shortage of skilled construction workers. To address this Groundwork Wakefield, working with partner organisations, has developed the Wakefield Homebuilder programme. Wakefield Homebuilder is designed to enable unemployed and disadvantaged young people to access paid jobs in the construction industry that have a structured career path.

The objectives of Wakefield Homebuilder are to:

• Deliver sustainable employment
  
• Ensure participants achieve appropriate Construction Skills Certification Scheme cards
  
• Provide training and qualifications which meet industry standards (units towards an NVQ Level 2)

Qualifications are available in:

• Multi skilling
  
• Bricklaying
  
• Carpentry and joinery
  
• Plastering
  
• Painting and decorating

The choice of trade is determined by the demand from the construction industry across the Wakefield District.

Wakefield Homebuilder is delivered through a partnership of Groundwork Wakefield, Wakefield and District Housing, Job Centre Plus, Wakefield Metropolitan District Council, Wakefield College, Wakefield Adult and Community Education Services, The Federation of Master Builders, Promoting Construction West Yorkshire and The Construction Industry Training Board.

Participants who complete the programme go on to work for Wakefield and District Housing and their construction partners.

The programme is split into five stages:

• An assessment day which includes an interview with a panel of employers and a "Skills for Life" appraisal
  
• A two week gateway programme with training in health and safety, first aid and manual handling
  
• A twelve week intensive training course leading to a Foundation Certificate in Building Craft Occupations and units toward an NVQ Level 2 in Construction
  
• A four week work placement with an employer
  
• Eight weeks working on empty properties.
  

For more information about Wakefield Homebuilder and Homebuilder Plus:

Product Sheet (PDF) Homebuilder Pack
Case Study (PDF) Homebuilder

Groundwork Wakefield
Block C, Normanton Town Hall
High Street
Normanton WF6 2DZ

T : 01924 307222
F : 01924 307220
E : wakefield@groundwork.org.uk