Property markets and the UK economy are intrinsically tied, and as we have seen throughout the past few years if one does badly then generally so does the other. This is why in this year’s Budget George Osborne stated that the government was planning on investing heavily in the housing sector, mainly by funding construction projects that would not only create more affordable housing but also help employment across the country. Furthermore, the government is trying to stabilise the property and rental markets which could help landlords find cheaper landlord insurance and make it easier for them to get a mortgage.
Those living in Sheffield have already started seeing the benefits of these schemes, especially as one housing development has recently hired a number of people as apprenticeships.The idea to offer apprenticeships for the housing development was created by the development’s builder Keepmoat and the landlords Sanctuary, who also worked with Jobcentre Plus, Manor and Castle Trust and Sheffield Futures in order to find potential apprentices.
Seventeen year old Callan Woodhead is just one person who has been given an apprenticeship at the development, who said: “When I left school I did some training which I thought would get me work on the railways, but there were just no jobs about. The two years I’ll be here will give me the chance to get some proper experience which I hope will help me get a permanent job once I am done.”
Meanwhile, twenty one year old Matt Neely who also works as an apprentice at the development said: “I got made redundant from my job as an office furniture fitter in February and I’d been out of work since then. I live just two minutes away from the site so it’s great to be part of something that will be on my doorstep. This apprenticeship will open new doors for me and I’m thankful for the opportunity I’ve got.” The housing development both Matt and Callan are currently working at will take until 2015 to complete, which means that both will have plenty of time to learn about construction and improve their chances of getting further employment in the future.
Discussing the scheme, Sanctuary’s head of development for the area, Helen Wright, said: “Our developments are creating real opportunities for people to get the experience and training they need for a career in construction. Callan and Matt are just the first of many people who will be given a chance to start an apprenticeship.” It’s good to see that those working on housing developments are helping their local communities, and hopefully in the future even more will follow suit.