Beyond Housing has teamed up with energy and regeneration specialist ENGIE and Scarborough’s Construction Skills Village to offer two local youngsters a first-rate employment and training opportunity.
Dan Miller, 18, and Brandon Toulson, 17, from Eastfield have each been awarded a two-year carpentry and joinery apprenticeship, which will lead to an NVQ level 2 qualification.
The pair will help with the build of two exciting development projects which ENGIE is completing on behalf of Beyond Housing. Worth a combined total of £6.4m, the schemes at the recently named Laurel Court in Eastfield and at nearby Middle Deepdale will together yield a total of 53 much needed new homes for older people.
Dan and Brandon were selected from a group of fifteen candidates who took part in a full day’s information and assessment event, situated within the Skills Village site in Middle Deepdale, where they learned what a modern apprenticeship can offer in terms of qualifications and career opportunities. The event also allowed the pair to gain a fuller understanding of the determination and commitment that will be required to successfully complete their placements.
Dan and Brandon began their apprenticeship placements and have wasted no time in settling into their daily site-work routines on the two schemes. While making the most of their opportunity to work under the guidance of the ENGIE project team, the youngsters have so far completed the fabrication of a timber shelter for use by members of the Laurel Court workforce while on their breaks and are currently helping to put together roof frames and trusses on the Middle Deepdale site.
Dan said: “This is a great opportunity and I’m really enjoying it. I’d done a little joinery before but nothing on the scale of these projects.”
Brandon added: “I used to make furniture but I’m now learning totally new skills. It’s great to be doing something different to what I’ve done in the past. We’re both looking forward to the rest of our two-year placement.”
Jane Fulford, Senior Project Manager at Beyond Housing said: “It’s great to use our excellent relationship with ENGIE by working together on a worthwhile scheme like this. By helping to provide training and employment opportunities for local young people, we’re showing the benefits of our partnership reach further than providing great homes.”
Nathan Brough, Regional Director at ENGIE’s Places & Communities division, said: “Investing in young people is really important to us, so it’s a great pleasure to be able to welcome local talent to the business and to give them the opportunity to get on the construction career ladder on two of our key projects in Scarborough.”
