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Tuesday 3rd August 2004 |
291/2004 |
Wigan & Leigh Housing’s massive council house improvement programme, which began last year, has seen a jobs bonanza for Wigan borough.
Between them, the company’s ten ‘partnering’ contractors have created over 430 new jobs for local people, it was revealed this week, and are currently training 130 building trade apprentices.
Two of the companies most committed to apprentice training are Jackson Lloyd, who have thirty apprentice places all filled by local people, and Mears Social Housing who have 27 — ten of them female.
Chief Executive of Wigan & Leigh Housing, Peter Gee says:
“The modernisation programme is progressing well and I am delighted that so many jobs are being created for local people as a result.
“I am particularly pleased at the way Mears have been able to attract women into what is traditionally a male–dominated labour market.”
Duncan Williams, Mears’ Contract Director, added:
“We are delighted with the success of our apprenticeship scheme and especially with our efforts to recruit female apprentices.
“This offers us a greater diversity in our skillbase, but also reaches out to some of the elderly tenants and vulnerable groups who prefer a female presence while a repair is being completed.”
The five–year, £250m project will see improvements such as new kitchens and bathrooms, and insulation and damp course work at nearly 25,000 homes, bringing them all up to ‘decency’ standard two years ahead of the Government’s deadline.