South Kilburn housing scheme 'puts residents into work' » Housing » 24dash.com

A major housing scheme in South Kilburn is creating jobs for residents thanks to an initiative by Brent Council and builders to help people find employment on the project.

Twenty-eight people from Brent, including nine from South Kilburn, have been employed by construction company Higgins which was appointed by Brent Council to build Granville New Homes.

Higgins pledged to employ as many local people as possible when work began on the project last year to create 110 new flats and maisonettes.

The project, which is part of the South Kilburn regeneration, will also include landscaping a new pocket park and a revamped Tabot Youth Centre.

The residents have worked as steel fixers, labourers, banksmen, carpenters, canteen assistants, machine drivers, engineers, hod carriers and bricklayers on the building site in Princess Road.

Brent Council's Assistant Director of Strategy and Regeneration Maggie Rafalowicz said: "It's fantastic to see this drive to encourage local people to work in their area and to hear how it's helping some of Brent's residents get back in the job market. This scheme will have a positive effect on the local economy ? especially in South Kilburn."

To encourage more local people to work in South Kilburn a Job Shop has been set up in Malvern Road where residents can register for jobs on the site.

The initiative is also supported by BOSS (Building One Stop Shop) - an employment broker for the building industry.

Resident liaison officer for Higgins Barry Oxford, said: "Local people want to see these homes built to the best possible standard and by employing them we are boosting the local economy. It is great to be able to apply some of the community's very own positive spirit, which was used in the design and selection of the development, directly into the construction of these new homes."

Kilburn resident Liam Duffy, who was unemployed before finding a job directing cranes on the building site, said: "I spotted the job being advertised on my way to the train station. I came in and spoke to a contractor employed by Higgins and got the job. It's nice to see my local area being regenerated."

Council tenants living in homes set to be demolished as part of the South Kilburn regeneration will be the first to be offered the new properties in Granville New Homes.

The scheme is in the process of being bought by Hyde Housing Association who will manage the properties once completed.

The first properties in the development are expected to be finished by spring of next year.

For more information about work opportunities at Granville New Homes call the Job Shop on 020 7372 2828.

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