Project Management aspires to grow » Housing » 24dash.com

A midlands housing association has confirmed the formation of a group structure following its merger with a substantial training business to help tackle worklessness among young people.

Project Management, a leading training provider which was previously privately owned, has become part of the Aspire Housing Group and will operate as a social enterprise.

It is thought to be the largest social enterprise subsidiary of any UK housing association.

Based in Stoke, north Staffordshire, the organisation which employs more than 50 people, will retain its own identity as it pursues expansion, building on its commitment to help young local people from disadvantaged backgrounds find work.

Established in 1982, Project Management targets unemployed teenagers who leave school without qualifications, as well as those facing exclusion from education.

Since its launch, it has provided tailor-made training and life-coaching programmes for nearly 9,000 people, and now turns over £2m per annum.

It boasts the largest Entry to Employment contract in Staffordshire giving youngsters a balance of real life work tasters and a support programme that also offers sports and leisure activities, job search skills and CV writing.

Around 500 job and training opportunities are provided each year, and 70% of all trainees go on to pursue long-term training or permanent employment one of the highest success rates in the country.

Will Nixon (pictured), confirmed as the new Chief Executive of Project Management, will retain his existing role with Aspire Housing as Director of Operations.

He said: Both organisations are fully committed to the delivery of excellent services, and to helping individuals fulfil their true potential. By integrating our talents and resources, I am confident we will go from strength to strength, help reduce benefit dependency, and make a positive impact for the communities and individuals we serve.

Sinead Butters, Chief Executive of Newcastle-based Aspire Housing, added: "We are keen to ensure that as a business we do all we can to improve our customers life chances, and those of everyone living in North Staffordshire. Getting more young people into long-term employment benefits them, and society as a whole."

Project Management, which has major contracts with the Learning and Skills Council, provides inspiring training in a variety of subjects ranging from basic numeracy and literacy to NVQ management programmes. All courses are delivered by highly qualified and experienced staff in state-of-the-art facilities.

It partners with more than 170 businesses, helping to re-skill workforces and providing a valued supply of apprentices and employees.

Sean Canavan, retiring Managing Director of Project Management, said: We are immensely proud of the track record of success we have had in helping so many people gain full time apprenticeships and jobs.

This year we are the leading training provider in the county to achieve successful outcomes from the individuals who we train.

Project Management also provides home improvement and environmental services to elderly and vulnerable council tenants, including gardening and landscaping, carpet fitting and furnishing, and painting.

Homeworks, the delivery vehicle for these services, was established in 1996 and has quickly grown. Predominantly funded by Stoke on Trent City Council, it now consists of 20 teams, each with its own supervisor and four trainees.

The Homeworks project has already assisted thousands of local people, but rapid expansion plans are now in place, including the introduction of new services.

Aspire Housing, owns and manages 8,500 properties across North Staffordshire. The organisation was established in 2000 to take ownership of housing stock transferred from Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council. The majority of its properties are located in the borough of Newcastle-under-Lyme which lies west of Stoke-on-Trent and midway between Manchester and Birmingham.