YOU’RE HIRED! BLOOR HOMES GIVES LOCAL LAD A CAREER IN CONSTRUCTION
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Mitchell Thomson from South Luton in Bedfordshire had been studying bricklaying at Barnfield College for two years before he began his apprenticeship last September at Bloor Homes’ new development ‘The Edge’ in Dunstable. The eighteen year old is now one of the first in the local area to benefit from the apprenticeship scheme being delivered through collaboration by Bloor Homes and the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA).
Creating and safeguarding apprenticeships is a condition of HCA funding and the agency is working locally with a number of agencies including: The National Apprenticeship Service, Jobcentre Plus and Construction Skills to encourage and enable customers to realise these outputs and outcomes. Nationally, the agency has committed to create or safeguard 2800 apprenticeships by 2011: with more than 200 apprenticeships already reported by partners across the East.*
Hard-working Mitchell is looking forward to a long career with Bloor Homes after being selected from Barnfield College to complete his third year NVQ. He says:
“I come from a family of builders, my uncle and granddad have both always worked in construction and watching them as I was growing up made me realise that I wanted to become a builder myself. I am really pleased to have been selected for this apprenticeship and I hope I will be able to continue working for Bloor Homes when the year ends.”
Steve Collins, Head of Area for the HCA says:
“Homes and jobs can and should go hand in hand, and the creation of employment and skills opportunities is an important way to maximise the Agency’s significant investment. This means that alongside increasing the number of affordable homes in an area, we work with our customers to ensure that local people have greater access to training opportunities and work experience. We wish Mitchell every success in his future career”.
Carl Slater, Construction Director at Bloor Homes comments:
“We recognise that apprentices are the future of our industry and believe it is important to support those living in the local communities in which we build. Mitchell is in the last year of his NVQ and we are offering him the opportunity to put his knowledge to the test on the job with the aim he will progress and develop his career in construction.”
Matthew Fletcher, Employment Services Manager, National Apprenticeship Service comments: “The National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) is committed to working closely with the Homes and Communities Agency and partners to fund Apprenticeship opportunities which support both individual learners and businesses. NAS is delighted that Mitchell has the opportunity to gain qualifications and training whilst also earning a salary in his chosen career.”
Homes at The Edge, where Mitchell is working are available under the ‘Homebuy’ initiative which helps lower income households and first time buyers onto the property ladder. Buyers can move into one of the stunning one, two, three or four bedroom homes for just 70% of the original purchase price. The remaining 30% is paid by a shared equity loan funded by Bloor Homes and the Homes and Communities Agency.
Located just outside of Luton, Dunstable is bordered by the Dunstable Downs which are very popular for kite flying, although for the more adventurous there is always hand gliding or paragliding! Set within 510 acres of grassland and farmland, the Downs are a wonderful area to walk, combining a wealth of wildlife with fantastic views of the Vale of Aylesbury and Chiltern Ridge.