CCURV

Croydon Council Urban Regeneration Vehicle (CCURV) has entered into a Service Level Agreement with REDS10 to launch an innovative apprenticeship model, which will deliver high-quality training and create employment opportunities for Croydon’s communities. This new model for Croydon will be called CCURV STEP (Sustainable Training & Employment Pathway).

REDS10 is an award winning social enterprise that works with developers, contractors and local delivery partners to increase the number and quality of apprenticeship opportunities that are generated by major construction projects.

REDS10 will act as an Apprenticeship Training Agency, which will work with CCURV’s prime and sub-contractors to broker apprenticeship opportunities for local people across each of CCURV’s construction projects; and potentially other major development projects in the borough.

Changing trends in the construction industry (such as higher levels of sub-contracting and shortened construction programmes) have made it difficult for many firms to offer traditional apprenticeships. CCURV STEP enables each apprentice to complete his or her training across multiple projects and under the guidance of multiple firms within different supply chains. As such, over and above the apprenticeships that can be offered in the traditional way, CCURV STEP will create a number of apprenticeship opportunities that could not otherwise be provided.

REDS10 is also working closely with CCURV and local partners to seek to ensure that these apprenticeships include training in the latest techniques and construction technologies; to increase the employability of each apprentice and address wider skills shortfalls in the UK construction industry.

CCURV has been working extensively with Wates and Sir Robert McAlpine Ltd (main contractors on the initial development projects, Waddon Housing Scheme and Bernard Weatherill House sites respectively) and other local partners to maximise the positive social and economic local benefits created by CCURV’s activities.

This commitment to partnership has already delivered significant and tangible benefits for local people, including:

-       Sir Robert McAlpine Ltd has created an apprenticeship in its Croydon project office and another two apprentices have been placed with its sub-contractor, Imtech Meica Ltd. In addition, through work with Job Centre Plus and New Addington Construction Skills Centre (part of Croydon College), eight local people not in education, employment or training (NEETs) that took part in a bespoke training programme have subsequently been taken on as full time employees by four sub-contractors working on the Bernard Weatherill House development site in Croydon.

-       On the Waddon site, seven percent of the workforce is currently undertaking training and three apprentice tradesmen have been placed with sub-contractors.

Councillor Tim Pollard, Croydon Councils cabinet member for regeneration and economic development, said: “Apprenticeships are great news for Croydon’s young people and our local economy. The council, developers, contractors, supply chain and training providers are all working together to make these opportunities available for local people. We will continue to ensure that the local community benefits from CCURV projects in the borough.”

Tom Storey, REDS10, said: “This partnership between John Laing and Croydon Council is the first of its kind. This is a truly collaborative approach between the public and private sector which has ensured that the aspirations that the Developer and Local Authority share for local labour and apprenticeships are managed and monitored throughout the supply chain of each project. Our collaborative approach also ensures that through identifying skills gaps and by providing training which meets those needs, we can support large number of Croydon residents in sustainable employment.”

Jamie Kerr, John Laing’s Director of Strategic Partnerships, said: “Alongside physical regeneration, CCURV seeks to maximise the socioeconomic benefits that are generated by its activities and seeks to see these  reinvested in Croydon.

We believe that CCURV STEP represents an innovative solution to the many challenges around providing apprenticeships. It will play a vital role in delivering regeneration in Croydon by empowering local people with marketable skills and opportunities that lead to sustainable employment”.