HULL HOME IMPROVEMENT AND REPAIRS PARTNERS OFFER BOOST TO LOCAL LONG TERM UNEMPLOYED

Long term unemployed people from Hull are being offered an invaluable route back into employment by the partners working to improve and repair council houses in the area.

Since 2007, Connaught Partnerships Ltd and Kier Building Maintenance have together recruited 11 local, long term unemployed people via City Works to assist with the Decent Homes improvements, voids, repairs and maintenance programmes to Hull City Council properties.

City Works is a Neighbourhood Renewal Funded (NRF) Project that offers advice and guidance to people looking to access employment and training within Hull. Through working directly with employers in the area, City Works aims to address the employment and training needs of local people and promote vacancies within the area through agencies such as Jobcentre Plus and One Step.

Connaught’s latest recruit from City Works, John Lyell (26) of Priory Road, was delighted to be offered 13 weeks paid placement, part of which was on Connaught’s Voids programme. “Since leaving the army in 2007 I’ve been looking for work whilst studying for my joinery qualifications at Hull College but with the ongoing recession I’ve found nothing long term. Then I heard about City Works and when I registered they explained to me about the opportunity with Connaught. I already knew about the work they were doing with the council so I realised what a great opportunity it was and I jumped at the chance.

“It was such a relief to have guaranteed work before Christmas and the experience I am getting on the job alongside the qualifications I am gaining at college will make a big difference to my CV.”

As a result of the devastating floods in June 2007 Kier Building Maintenance (KBM) recruited five people through City Works to assist with the increased work volume delivering flood repair work to an additional 729 properties. Sue Mortimer (54) of Riverside, who had just moved back to Hull after spending three years in Spain, was relieved when she was offered a customer liaison officer role at KBM. “After making the big decision to return to Hull I was worried about not getting any work due to both my age and returning from overseas. I registered with several agencies and it was such a relief when I was offered an interview with Kier via City Works, which resulted in a temporary contract followed by a permanent contract. I am happy to say I have now been with Kier for two years.”

David Street of City Works, said: “Working with Kier and Connaught gives our employees the best possible ‘real’ work experience and the opportunity to see first hand the work that the trained and skilled employees of both companies undertake is invaluable to our project and its continued success.

“By continuing to work with Hull City Council and their partners we remain committed to utilising the combined expertise to offer the best possible opportunities and experience to those who want to work.”

Councillor Kalvin Neal, Hull City Council portfolio holder for employment and enterprise, said: “Unemployment in Hull is above the national average, so I am delighted that our partners Kier and Connaught have been able to take on local unemployed people. It’s great that they now have access to full time paid work where they can apply their skills and develop professionally.”