January 2008 News
Building their futures
A new construction centre will help residents get jobs created by the regeneration of Woodberry Down and the 2012 Olympic Games.
Woodberry Works trains local people so they can gain the professional qualifications and experience needed to compete for the thousands of construction jobs generated by these massive projects over the next few years.
The centre is specifically targeting residents in the Woodberry Down and Stamford Hill areas and currently offers an introduction to construction course and a construction course for members of the Orthodox Jewish. A third course for women will begin in January.
Patrick Crawford, a student at the recently opened centre, said: “It’s great because we can learn the theory here and we can also practice our new skills in the empty flats.
“There are lots of good jobs in construction in East London and I think this course will help me get into this industry.”
Kim Wright, the Council’s Corporate Director of Community Services, said: "At the peak of building work on the Olympic site in Hackney Wick and Stratford, it is estimated that 9,000 construction jobs will be required.
“The Woodberry Works construction centre is one way through which local residents can gain the qualifications and experience they need to compete for such jobs."
Woodberry Down Programme Director, Robin Smith, said: “We’re building more than 4,000 new mixed tenure homes on Woodberry Down as well as re-building shops and community facilities. We believe Woodberry Works will give many local people a start in the construction industry.”
More information
Please visit www.hackneyhomes.org.uk/hhs-woodberry-news.htm
Page updated: 28 Jan 2008