New build programme provides local jobs boost in South Tyneside

A Local Authority New Build (LANB) programme has helped to create employment opportunities for local businesses and people living in South Tyneside.

The £1.1 million council housing programme is helping to stimulate the local employment market by appointing local sub contractors to undertake the key elements of the development including brickwork, plumbing, electrics and flooring.

The South Tyneside Council programme, which has been funded by the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) includes three new build schemes consisting of 27 two-bedroom bungalows for elderly residents providing much needed quality affordable homes across South Tyneside.

The developments will be undertaken by community regeneration specialist Frank Haslam Milan (North East) who, as part of the contract, has promised to appoint local contractors and local people to boost the local South Tyneside economy.

Those already to benefit are Arron Amess and Liam Beadle, both aged 16 and from South Shields who have secured permanent plumbing apprenticeships with W.H. Dunn, a locally based plumbing and mechanical company based in South Shields.

Both Arron and Liam replace two existing apprentices who are nearing the end of their apprenticeships with W.H. Dunn and will study for their City & Guilds plumbing qualifications at Newcastle College which will commence in September this year.

They both joined the company last week and immediately started on a refurbishment programme at Hartmoor in South Shields for South Tyneside Homes to gain first hand experience before moving onto the new build sites.

In addition to the recruitment of two plumbers, W. H. Dunn’s sister company, Wiring Services Limited has also appointed four new electricians on full time contracts as a result of the work that FHM is undertaking within South Tyneside.

Sara Day, Strategic Business Manager at Frank Haslam Milan North East said: “As part of our commitment to South Tyneside Council we promised to appoint local contractors and local people to help us to deliver this programme.

“The appointment of two local apprentices demonstrates this and we hope that Arron and Liam will learn valuable skills and knowledge of the industry whilst studying for their qualifications.

“We are also working alongside other sub contractors to employ joiners to work on all three developments.”

Colin Davies, Group Managing Director at Wiring Services Limited said: “When we were given the opportunity to deliver the South Tyneside contract on behalf of FHM, we gave a commitment to employ local labour.

"We have already appointed four local electricians in addition to Arron and Liam and have made great progress in pursuing this level of commitment by providing long term investment in the South Tyneside area.”

A spokesman for South Tyneside Council said: “It’s very good to see local companies winning this work, and especially good to see the investment create new apprenticeships for local young people. These are not the first and we are aware that other apprentices on this programme are about to qualify.”

Work officially started on all three new build schemes at Brancepeth Road in Hebburn, Hedgley Road in South Shields and Sheridan Road in Biddick Hall in January and are expected to be completed in the summer.