Middleton Trainee celebrates Housing Market Renewal Funding

Date published: 24/03/2006

Building trainees celebrated the news that £67.5 million of Housing Market Renewal (HMR) Funding for Rochdale and Oldham will create more local construction jobs over the next fifteen years. 

Twenty-three people are currently taking part in wage-based training in brick-laying, plastering, tiling, joinery and plumbing at the Building Trades Agency on Haynes Street, Rochdale.  These skills will prepare them to take advantage of the jobs created by the HMR project that aims to build and refurbish thousands of homes, to carry out environmental improvements in the boroughs of Rochdale and Oldham as well as boosting the local economy.   

Hannah Yates, 28, of Moston Road, Middleton Junction has recently completed a multi-trades course in brick-laying, plastering, tiling, joinery and plumbing.  She is currently undertaking some paid work experience with the Building Trades Agency to renovate a house on Roch Valley Way in Rochdale. 

Ms Yates said, “This funding announcement is really good news for people like me who have trained in construction skills.  It should make it easier for me to get a job.

“I’ve really enjoyed my training at the Building Trades Agency, particularly the plastering and tiling.  The tutors have been really supportive and I would encourage other people who are thinking about it to give it a go. “

West Pennine Housing Association manage the Building Trades Agency.  Rochdale Boroughwide Housing, the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund, New Heart for Heywood New Deal for Communities, Jobcentre Plus and J21 (a Housing Market Renewal-funded project) fund the Building Trades Agency.