Creams Mill Little Lever: Construction Skills centre launched

The Construction Skills centre was launched on October 31, aiming to provide young people with construction skills. 

Coming as part of the Creams Mill development in Little Lever, which will see 200 new homes built, it is a partnership between developer Watson Homes, Onward Homes, Skills Construction Centre and Connexions Bolton. 

Using land donated by Boscow Nurseries, the youngsters are being taught a range of skills and knowledge that will develop their confidence in the industry. 

At the end of the program, some may also be taken on by Watson as construction workers. 

Local councillor Andrea Taylor-Burke said: "This is going to make a big difference to our area. 

Cutting the ribbon at the centre (Image: Newsquest) "We have quite a lot of young people in Little Lever and Darcy Lever from 16-18 who don't know what they want to do, who are not academic and don't want to be sat in a classroom. 

"This gives them a feel for whether they want to do it." 

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Mike Watson, owner of Watson, said: “We are thrilled to welcome students to the Skills Academy Centre at Creams Mill in Little Lever. Over the next three months, these young people will explore potential career pathways in construction through hands-on experience in different trades.

"Many young people find that traditional education paths don't suit their learning style. The Skills Academy provides an alternative route to discover rewarding careers in construction." 

He added that £300k of job and apprenticeship creation, work experience placements and support for community projects has been created - with a further £30k being added by the Skills Academy. 

Apprentices (Image: Newsquest) One of the apprentices, Adam Davies, 18, said: "I like to be hands on, I'm a very practical person - I would recommend this.

"It is good being able to do all the work towards working on site." 

Andrew Brown, Director of Housing and Specialist Living at Onward, said: “By connecting our supply chain to local partners, we’re inventing new ways to deliver social impact across the communities we serve.

"Our partnership with Watson Homes is just one example of the work we’re doing with suppliers to go beyond housing and enable people to be their best.

"I am delighted to see that this partnership has facilitated the new Skills Academy which will allow young people here to thrive through alternative employment and training opportunities." 

Katrina Berwick, Connexions Careers Service Manager said: “The UK SPF NEET Grant awarded to Bolton Council has funded the ‘Next Generation Bolton’ project which has enabled this fantastic partnership opportunity.

"It is supporting our young people who are not in education, employment or training to learn trade skills in a professional working environment from skilled tradespeople." 

Paul Sandbach of Boscow Nurseries said: "I'm ex-construction, so we thought we would like to be involved. 

"It's nice to help the younger people. People need jobs, don't they?"