Our hugely successful launch event for the Westminster Highways Traineeship Scheme at The Greenside Community Centre in November has produced great results.  We are delighted that we have supported 10 local young people to secure three-year traineeships with Balfour Beatty and FM Conway Ltd.

Over 55 people attended the recruitment event and we received over 30 applications.  All the companies involved with the event were overwhelmed by the level of interest and the quality of the candidates on the day.

Barry Warner, Business Development Manager at Balfour Beatty Infrastructure Services, commented, "I really felt the Open Day went well beyond our expectations."

The 10 young people who were selected for the scheme had been working with the Apprenticeships Advice Service, over the last six months.  The Service supported them to find apprenticeship opportunities, build their confidence, develop their CVs and practice their interview techniques.

The Advisers congratulated Ryan, Matt and Luacke whose hard work has paid off and they will be starting work in January.  Matt is really excited by the prospect of working on Westminster’s roads.  He said, "Before we start work we have to go on a two-week training course at FM Conway in Dartford to learn about health and safety and first aid.  After that I start work at the beginning of January."

"The first year will be divided between the different companies gaining experience in all the different areas of Highways Maintenance.  After a year, I get to decide where I would rather be based.  I already know I am going to choose working on the roads because that is all I want to do.  If anyone is in the same position, I would definitely recommend them to visit the team at Vital Regeneration to help you."

Many applicants who didn’t make it onto the scheme are now working with the Apprenticeships to find other opportunities that will enable them to gain the necessary skills, training and experience that they need to be successful in future applications and interviews.

Angela McConville, Vital Regeneration’s Chief Executive, said, “We are extremely proud to be a partner in this new and exciting initiative.  Our strong links with the community ensure that we have been able to connect these opportunities to the people who need them most.  Our purpose is to deliver effective, long-lasting solutions to the social, environmental and economic problems experienced by people living in disadvantaged communities.  We strongly believe that sustainable employment and training delivered through apprenticeship or traineeship schemes is one of the most effective ways of bringing about real positive change to the lives of young people.”