Applications now open to join innovative ‘Re-Making Leeds’ training programme

Young people in Leeds are once again being offered the opportunity to secure a place on an innovative heritage construction skills trainee programme.

As part of ‘Re-Making Leeds’, 17 successful trainees will have the chance from September 2016 - August 2017 to learn as part of work-based training, a range of skills under the watchful eye of expert professionals and employers. Funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), and delivered by the council in partnership with the Leeds College of Building and York College, trainees can gain qualifications and practical experience in; brick work, carpentry and joinery, stonemasonry, painting and decorating, lime mortar plastering and rendering, wall and floor tiling and specialist lead work.

Through the programme, Re-Making Leeds trainees also receive a weekly bursary as they learn and a contribution to their travel as well as training for a L2 Award in heritage construction.

Now in its third year the Re-Making Leeds programme, which was designed to create the next generation of experts to work in this specialist field, has proved to be a great success with a number of previous graduates already securing full-time employment or apprenticeships. These include positions with the council’s Leeds Building Services, the Canal and River Trust, Stoodley Pike bespoke timber products and specialist conservation company Aura Conservation Ltd.

To find out more about Re-Making Leeds, please see: http://www.leeds.gov.uk/residents/Pages/Re-Making-Leeds.aspx

To apply for a place on Re-Making Leeds trainee programme before the deadline of 31 May 2016, please see: https://jobs.leeds.gov.uk/buildingconstruction-re-making-leeds-re-making-leeds-trainee/19506.job

Councillor Mohammed Rafique, Leeds City Council’s executive member for employment, enterprise and opportunity said:

“Since launching the scheme, it has been fantastic to see Re-Making Leeds which offers young people the opportunity to learn from the experts a range of high quality heritage construction skills, move from strength-to-strength.

“It is great news therefore that once again we are able to offer 17 more young people the opportunity to become a Re-Making Leeds trainee from this September and be given a bursary which means they can earn as they learn. This really is a chance not to be missed, and we hope to see many young people submitting an application before the 31 May deadline.

“On a final note, I would once again like to thank our partners Leeds College of Building and York College and of course the many employers who are playing such an important role in the Re-Making Leeds programme. This hard work and commitment has resulted in Re-Making Leeds achieving some really excellent results whilst also ensuring that young people are given the skills training required to hold them in good stead for many years to come.”

Notes to editors:

Employers featuring in this year’s programme include: Leeds City Council’s parks and countryside team, AB Heritage Roofing, Aura Conservation Ltd, LCC Restorations Ltd, Ornate Interiors, Ratcliffe Building & Maintenance and Ventrolla.

Heritage Lottery Fund - Thanks to National Lottery players, we invest money to help people across the UK explore, enjoy and protect the heritage they care about - from the archaeology under our feet to the historic parks and buildings we love, from precious memories and collections to rare wildlife. www.hlf.org.uk @heritagelottery @HLFYandH

For media enquiries, please contact;

Colin Dickinson, Leeds City Council press office (0113) 39 51578

Email: colin.dickinson@leeds.gov.uk