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Young people facing the prospect of homelessness and a life on the streets can now take advantage of Future Builders, a scheme currently based in both Sheffield and Bristol that intends to provide such people with both new skills and housing at the same time.
The scheme has thus far given 19 young people the chance to finish a traineeship, while gaining maths and English qualifications, and work experience in the construction industry as they work to renovate semi-derelict properties that they’ll later come to live in.
The first three have now moved into their homes, with apprenticeship wages covering their rent and OVO Energy providing power to each property, ensuring that they have enough money to live and support themselves financially.
Head of corporate social responsibility and the OVO Foundation Gaby Sethi was quoted by the news source as saying: “We’re delighted to see the Future Builders welcomed into their new homes.
“It’s through their determination they have renovated the houses and created a home for themselves. The project breaks the cycle of homelessness and helps the young people on their journey to complete independence.”
The Sheffield scheme was launched in November 2017, alongside Roundabout, CTS Training and Sheffield City Council. In all, three semi-derelict houses were renovated, with six government-funded traineeships provided and the training and confidence required in order to gain long-term employment.
The pilot for the project took place in Bristol in 2016 and the scheme has since doubled in size, with ten young people beginning a pre-apprenticeship programme in September 2017.
Scott, one of the Future Builder apprentices, explained that the scheme had a key part to play in helping him regain his independence. It also allowed him to move into affordable, high quality accommodation while allowing him to learn a set of new skills and help him start on an actual career path.
To be eligible for the scheme, young people have to be between the ages of 16 and 23. The pre-apprenticeship programme takes place over the course of three months where they can learn the basics of construction while visiting properties to carry out the work. Once completed, they can then sign up for a full-time apprenticeship with a construction firm.
The project was started in response to the fact that homelessness in Bristol tripled between 2016 and 2017, as well as providing a practical response to election pledges made by mayor of Bristol Marvin Rees that included tackling homeless ness, supporting apprenticeships and bringing unused buildings back into the land of the living.
Are you looking for scaffolders in Sheffield at the moment? Get in touch with us here at Burflex to see how we can help you get your project off the ground.
