A building scheme has increased its free training courses after an upsurge in demand for skilled workers.
The Building Enterprise scheme, based in New Addington, has been inundated with requests from construction firms for employees.
In response it has boosted its number of bricklaying, carpentry and plumbing courses on offer.
Operated as a partnership between Croydon College and the Croydon Enterprise Programme, the training courses are free to Croydon residents and are held at the Bizspace business centre on Vulcan Way.
Mick Walker, project manager at Building Enterprise, said: “We are now running full-time, 10-week courses for all local residents from ages 16 to 64 who want to attain the skills and qualifications to enable them to start work, or even set up their own businesses in the construction industry.”
As well as the basic building skills, students can learn first aid and bolt-on other modules such as plastering, painting and decorating.
The centre also takes fast-track trainees on to the business start-up course run with Croydon Enterprise, providing a basic business starter pack with a tool box and a trade discount card and a half-day IT training for people starting their own business to build a website.
Mr Walker said: “The Bizspace centre has proven to be great location for us as it’s centrally-located in the heart of New Addington’s business community and so we’ve been able to build strong relationships with a number of businesses.
“It’s also the perfect location for new start-up businesses, and particularly those looking to maintain contact with their trainers.
“There are a number of multi-million pound construction contracts in the pipeline in the Croydon area and an increasing number of companies have started to approach us regarding job opportunities.
“Our courses are to city and guilds stan-dard and all successful trainees will leave with qualifications and the relevant CSCS card, now regarded as the passport to all UK construction sites.
“We are providing a superb opportunity for individuals to better themselves and become skilled, qualified and prepared for when the current economic downturn ends and the building industry gets back into high gear.”
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