Page 27 - City Life Magazine - Spring 2022

www.worcester.gov.uk 27

City Council builds careers

for job seekers

Looking for a new career? Worcester job seekers now have a chance
to take their first step into a construction job thanks to Stepnell, the

strategic construction partner building phase one of the University of
Worcester’s state-of-the-art Severn Centre for Health and Wellbeing.
The centre is partly funded by the City Council securing £19.6m from

the national Towns Fund.

In partnership with the SWAP participants
Department of Work and Pensions
(DWP) and Worcester-based
GLP Training, Stepnell and their
groundworks contractors Walsh
Construction have set up the
city’s first Sector Work-based
Academy Programme (SWAP). This
is a proven DWP model to get
jobseekers into the construction
industry in as few as six weeks.
Completion of the course will
give participants a City & Guilds
Level 1 qualification, two weeks of
on-site practical work experience,
and the industry’s mandatory card
known as the CSCS, essential for
on-site workers.

Zoey West, Deputy Director
of Economic Development at
Worcester City Council, said: ”With leading the way and showing what “I think it’s very important that
around £40m of regeneration is possible.” women don’t rule out learning skills
planned for the city and a national within the construction industry,
construction skills shortage, we APRIL’S SUCCESS it isn’t just for men. It’s very
are keen to work with the industry The SWAP will run as a rolling rewarding, whether it allows you to
and Towns Fund partners to find programme throughout the three- complete jobs within your home by
local solutions. We are delighted year programme to build the yourself, or to work together in a
to see key contractors like Stepnell Severn Centre. That will create team and be proud of the finished
the potential for hundreds of local results. In addition, it is also fun!”
people to benefit from it.
Elaine Kendall, Social Value
April Turner from Worcester was one of & Engagement Manager at
the first SWAP participants. She gained Stepnell, said: “We are delighted
a range of trade-based skills on the to be a part of this fantastic
programme and is being interviewed programme, providing meaningful
for a property maintenance experiences for local individuals
apprenticeship with a local employer and showcasing the ambitious
supported by GLP Training. opportunities available within our
industry. We aim to achieve gender
She said: “The course was easy parity and to grow our talent pool,
to apply for and taught me lots of helping to fill the skills gap.”
valuable skills. I’m excited about
my future opportunities in the  Find out more:
April Turner with her CSCS Card
construction industry now. W: www.glptraining.co.uk

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