Liverpool construction training centre receives LandAid grant

LandAid, the property industry charity, has awarded a grant of £97,000 to Alt Valley Community Trust for the creation of a bespoke Construction Skill Centre at the North Liverpool Community College.

The grant will fund the complete refurbishment of the ground floor of the college’s technical block and provide alternative opportunities for young people underachieving or at risk of exclusion from school.

The refurbishment will include specific training areas for plumbing, tiling and plastering and two classrooms.

Unemployment among 18-24-year-olds in Alt Valley is three times higher than the national average, with residents of Alt Valley only making up 0.5% of all apprenticeships in Liverpool.

Alt Valley Community Trust was set up in 1983 as an educational charity and helps some of Merseyside’s most disadvantaged communities.

Phil Knibb, Chief Executive of Alt Valley Community Trust said: “The support from LandAid will enable us to create a bespoke Construction Skills Centre at North Liverpool Community College. The Centre will provide an exciting and innovative learning facility for young people, inspiring them to learn and supporting their employment goals within the construction industry.”

LandAid works to improve the lives of children and young people in the UK who experience disadvantage due to their economic or social circumstances. Chief executive, Paul Morrish, commented: “We’re delighted to be able to award this great charity the essential funds needed for this exciting project.

“At a time when there is a skills shortage in the construction industry, projects like this provide a real grassroots solution, while at the same time helping to improve the lives of vulnerable young people.

“I would like to thank the staff at the 100 companies that support us and help us raise over £1.5m for good causes, every year. Without your help we wouldn’t be able to make such great things happen.”

Work is due to start in October and complete by the end of January 2016. Once finished, the state-of-art centre will allow 60 young people a year to gain experience and qualifications in the construction industry.

Opportunities for apprenticeships and links with local employers will also be offered to students to get them ‘work-ready’.

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