Constructing a future for South Liverpool students

Published: 16 July 2019

Young students in South Liverpool have got a taste of what it’s like to work in construction this week when they took part in a two-day taster programme.

Fifteen Year 8 students from St Nicholas Academy in Garston tried their hand at brick-laying, plumbing, plastering and tiling as part of the programme delivered by South Liverpool Homes (SLH) through their employability and training hub, Reach, and house builder Keepmoat Homes.

The eager students also put on their hard hats and steel-toe-cap boots to visit the 147-home Mill Brow development in Speke where Keepmoat and SLH are offering homes for sale and shared ownership. Here they discovered what it’s like to work in the construction industry as well as learning about the different stages of the building process.

A tour of the housing association’s head office kick-started day two, followed by an inspirational talk from SLH’s Development Officer, Connie Hill, who started her career through the GEM Programme, a graduate housing training scheme that supports careers in the sector.

Claire Ryan, Director of Investment and Assurance at SLH said: “This is a great opportunity for young people in the area who are interested in a career in housing or construction.  Working with Keepmoat Homes, we hope these taster days gave the students a flavour of the different types of roles that are available in the construction industry as well as supporting them in their career choices.

“We were really impressed with the enthusiasm of the students,” continued Claire. “They were engaged and asked lots of questions - who knows, we may have a future housing CEO on our hands!”

Gareth Roberts, Regional Managing Director for Keepmoat Homes, said: “We are proud to partner with South Liverpool Homes to help deliver this two-day taster programme. I hope that we have not only provided an insight into the housing industry and the variety of opportunities and careers it provides but also inspired the next generation of employees for both SLH and ourselves.”

The organisations will keep in touch with the students to see if they can support them further in developing their career in construction.