24th August 2020
Salford’s latest scheme to help apprentices made redundant because of the Coronavirus pandemic has scored its first success. Trainee painter and decorator Jaden Legge has secured a new job, just as his girlfriend is due to give birth to their first child.
Salford City Council launched the scheme earlier this month to match anyone who lost their apprenticeship because of the pandemic with new employers. Firms are being offered a £2,000 grant to help the trainees get their qualifications. Apprenticeships at Salford City College, who have supported the development of the fund, provide a wide range of apprenticeship programmes across a range of sectors that support the development and upskilling of apprentices across Salford and Greater Manchester.
Jaden, from Eccles, who is just two months away from qualifying as a skilled painter and decorator, said he was “over the moon.”
He added: “I didn’t hesitate to take on the work trial and I knew I had to make a good impression to get the job. I’m now enjoying working on new build projects and looking forward to the birth of my daughter.”
Allan Milne, Head of Apprenticeships at Salford City College, said: “We are delighted the fund will support Jaden to complete his apprenticeship and are extremely grateful to Smalleys for giving him this opportunity, as well as the Build Salford partnership for facilitating it. As Jaden has discovered, apprenticeships are a great way for people to gain and develop the skills and knowledge to establish a successful career.”
His new employers Smalleys are sub-contractors for
Keepmoat Homes on a new, affordable housing development in Charlestown.
Craig Murphy, Keepmoat Homes Regional Managing Director, added: “Our industry needs keen and enthusiastic young people like Jayden in all the construction trades. One of our trainees is now our contracts managers so the opportunities to progress are also there.”
City Mayor Paul Dennett said the fund was designed to help young people like Jaden make the most of Greater Manchester’s construction boom.
He said: “There are huge opportunities in construction in Salford and Greater Manchester now with vast amounts of regeneration, huge demand for housing, particularly affordable homes and another £54 million worth of shovel-ready projects due to come online in the next few years despite the economic impact of the pandemic,” he said.
“If we can protect young people from the downturn, help them complete their apprenticeships and become qualified then they will be better placed to weather the storm.”
If you would like to find out more about becoming an apprentice, contact Apprenticeships at Salford City College on 0161 631 5555 or email apprenticeships@salfordcc.ac.uk.
