Middleton residents benefit from programme to promote career opportunities

Residents with their certificates following the training programme run Keepmoat Homes and Riverside with former Mayor Mohammed Zaman

A training programme run by Keepmoat Homes and social housing provider, Riverside, has supported 10 Middleton residents.

The scheme called Kickstart, has been run by Keepmoat Homes in a number of areas and aims to upskill local members of the community who are not in education, employment or training and introduce them to the construction industry and the roles within it.

The five week long course, hosted at Riverside Tenants Resource Centre, saw Keepmoat Homes work with Riverside to run training for the residents who included former members of the military and long term unemployed. The programme was part funded through the Ladders of Aspiration campaign by Riverside to celebrate its 90th anniversary which started in 2018.

Following the completion of the course the residents, aged 16-49, are continuing to be supported by Kate Alderson, Project Officer for Employment and Training and Keepmoat Homes to help them progress into employment.

One of the residents taking part said: “This programme has brought people together from the local community, all looking for a chance to either move into employment or a career change.

“I think the programme helped us to understand the struggles we face when looking for work.

“For me, I personally look at the skills I have and can see how I can develop them into a different career path, as I currently work in the children’s care sector. The course is beneficial to all who don't have the chance to gain qualifications whether they are young or old.

“I'd like to thank Kate from Riverside, Julie and the team from Keepmoat Homes for setting up this programme and giving us all the opportunity to take part. And also, well done to those who took part and my new friends. I hope to be working alongside you in the future.”

Craig Murphy, Regional Managing Director at Keepmoat Homes said: “We’ve been running our Kickstart programme in the North West for a number of years and have helped over 150 people to go on to further training in the construction industry and often to secure jobs. I’m delighted that we were able to partner with Riverside to celebrate its anniversary and offer a special training programme to 10 of its residents.”

Richard Hadley, Riverside Team Leader said: “We’ve worked with Keepmoat to provide construction training to 10 of our residents who will then move on to gain their CSCS cards and hopefully to gain employment into the construction industry. Our employment and training service will continue to work with them by applying for jobs and preparing them for interviews and eventually into work.”

Cllr Mohammed Zaman, who visited the Kickstart scheme during his time as Mayor of Rochdale added: “I was pleased to attend Keepmoat‘s Kickstart event at Burnside Community Centre. It was good to see a group of local unemployed residents who were struggling to find work, signed onto the programme. It is a valuable project that puts resources back into the community to create much needed opportunities to enhance the local economy.

“Residents were very pleased to have joined this programme. They have keen interest in building and construction, and I hope they will do well for themselves and for their families. Thanks to Keepmoat Homes for providing an excellent training opportunity to local residents.”