On Thursday, 20th and Friday, 21st February, Site Ready Solutions and GSQ Brickwork participated in the Skills-Builders programme at Marsh Green School in Dagenham. The school needed two planters for their Food Growing and Enterprise Project.
The Skills-Builders programme aims to provide 16-18-year-olds with work experience in construction through a local contractor, while also delivering a community-focused project in the borough. This initiative offers a safe environment for trainees to connect with employers, acquire practical trade skills, and prepare for future employment.
The planters will be used by school children to grow fruits and vegetables, teaching them about food cultivation. This project will culminate in July when the students take their produce to market, learning marketing and business skills in the process.
This initiative gave students a unique chance to build a permanent structure alongside a professional employer. Throughout the two days, they honed various bricklaying skills, such as setting out, applying mortar, working to line, pointing, and calculating materials.
These activities are crucial for young people to develop practical skills and gain valuable work experience with an employer. With the construction industry facing a growing skills gap, initiatives like this promote construction careers and skill development. According to the Construction Skills Network, the UK will need an additional 251,500 construction workers by 2028 to meet demand Additionally, they provide a community project that benefits the local area, creating spaces for community groups to enjoy.
“The team did an impeccable job, and we are thrilled to have our planters ready for our project later next month,” said a representative from Marsh Green School. “The children were so amazed when they came in on their first day back and were so enthused and excited to start the project.”
The materials for this project were generously donated by Bellway Barking, who are working towards building 18,000 new homes at Barking Riverside.
“At Site Ready Solutions our commitment to social value drives everything we do. Offering robust training opportunities that lead to real work experience & apprentice programmes delivered for local people working locally. This is just the beginning of an exciting partnership with BRIC, Bellway & GSQ Brickwork that will bring meaningful impact to the community. Together we have built planters that will bring value to the school & as well as built confidence for four young people on their journey into a construction career. The students impressed us all & will be offered a position within our training at the Bellway Barking Riverside project.” Garry Stains Site Ready Solutions
For more information, or to get involved in the Skills-Builder programme please contact the BRIC Training Centre at BRIC@lbbd.gov.uk.
