Lendlease, the integrated property and infrastructure group, is launching the first National Skills Academy for Construction in North Wales as part of its community engagement programme.
The North Wales Prison project has been awarded the prestigious Skills Academy status from the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) enabling real employment and skills opportunities to happen on site throughout the duration of the build.
Launching October 7, the National Skills Academy will help create jobs for the local workforce, creating high quality apprenticeships and delivering industry-led, first-class training in real-life environments. A dedicated Project Skills Co-ordinator, funded by CITB, will ensure that employment and skills opportunities are tailored and delivered on site at the right time and in the right place.
A purpose built Learning and Ambition centre, will also be launched on October 7 and will be based on site during construction of the North Wales Prison. Developed and co-funded by Lendlease and the North Wales Economic Ambition Board (NWEAB), the centre will specialise in essential construction training that will benefit both the locality, and the wider region. A qualified team of industry-focused instructors will also provide Health & Safety, leadership, management and sustainability training.
Commenting on the new National Skills Academy for Wrexham, Simon Caron, Lendlease Project for Director North Wales Prison, said: “We are very proud to have received National Skills Academy for Construction status, the first project in North Wales to receive the prestigious accolade. As one of the largest leading employers in the country, we are committed to maximising the benefits of this major project for the local community.”
Iwan Thomas, Regional Skills & Employment Coordinator, on behalf of NWEAB added: “We are really pleased to be working with Lendlease on behalf of our regional partners, to now be in a position that this is the first Academy in North Wales to receive this status. The donation of this facility to the region will certainly make a difference to sustainable skills and learning both now, and as we also look forward to other large construction projects across North Wales once the Prison build is complete.”
Mark Bodger, Strategic Partnerships Director for CITB Cymru Wales, said: “The North Wales prison development will provide a substantial boost to the industry in North Wales and we want to ensure that the local community and construction sector maximise on the benefits from this landmark project. The granting of Skills Academy status will help Lendlease and its contractors give young people a wide range of opportunities through the project, including developing skills that will last them a lifetime.”
This latest initiative builds on the strong progress already being made with the Employment, Skills and Engagement Symposium.
The Symposium is also indicative of Lendlease’s wider commitment to providing significant employment and business opportunities for the immediate community and wider North Wales region. The commitments include 100 new apprenticeships and 500 work placement days per year.
