Work to build 300 new Walsall homes creates 20 apprenticeships

The budding electricians, plumbers and carpenters are currently working on building sites across the borough.

They were given roles through a partnership between landlord Walsall Housing Group (WHG) and developer Kier.

Under a £42 million deal a total of 338 homes will be built by WHG and the developers in Somerfield Road, Bloxwich; Pennine Way, Short Heath, Willenhall; Wessex Close, Brownhills; and Harrowby Road, Moxley. There will be 234 properties in Moxley near Darlaston, of which 75 will be rented and 159 for sale.

Construction work started this year and is due to be completed in 2015.

The 20 apprentices were taken on as a direct result of the deal and combine their on the job work with studies at a skills centre operated by the housing group.

Among them are carpenter, Anthony Holmes, bricklayer, Daniel Parker and plumber, Dharamveer Dhaliwall.

WHG's growth director Carole Wildman said: "This is a great example of what can be achieved by working together.

"We are delighted that we can work with Kier to contribute to the local economy in such a major way.

"Not only are we regenerating the area with more than 300 new homes, we have also been able to give 20 young people the skills they need to get a vital step onto the career ladder."

Kier's apprenticeships manager Abdul Mozzamdar said: "We have a comprehensive apprenticeship programme which we believe stimulates growth and jobs in the areas in which we work.

"We are cultivating and training tradesmen and women of the future, sustaining a skilled workforce. Working alongside WHG we have recruited 20 apprentices for the various projects around Walsall and for the first time will be piloting a sales apprenticeship role to encourage more female candidates to enter into the construction industry."