Fusion21 Skills
Fusion21 is a pioneer consortium of social landlords formed with the aims of achieving efficiency savings in undertaking capital and maintenance works on the housing stock, while also delivering significant community benefits in the Merseyside region. ‘Fusion21 Skills’ is the specialist arm delivering against the objectives of workforce development by helping local people launch careers in the construction industry, thereby also helping to mitigate the effects of actual and potential skills shortages in carrying out the ‘Decent Homes’ and other work programmes.
Outline details of initiative
Sector: Social Housing.
Scope, aim: Training local people for permanent employment in construction, thereby creating sustainable improvement in the regional economy, with associated community benefits.
Structure: Dedicated skills team within the Fusion21 consortium of social landlords providing training through a central Building Skills Centre
Programme dates: Based on successful long-running scheme run by Fusion21 in partnership with Knowsley MBC. Re-launched April 2007 with open-ended programme
Workforce Development Programme
Target communities: Unemployed in Merseyside region, with particular focus on groups under-represented in construction such as women and black and ethnic minoritiesTarget skills / abilities to be developed
Target skills/abilities to be developed:Basic competencies required on site, particularly in Health and Safety.Key construction skills, such as plastering, joinery
Numbers involved:To date, more than 500 into training, 432 now in permanent employment with Fusion 21 partner contractors
Partners/stakeholders:Social Landlord members of Fusion21; partner contractors; Knowsley MBC
Implementation – approach, methodology
Overall strategy: Free training programme financed by the Fusion21 partnership of social landlords and contractors, delivered by a dedicated team using a purpose-designed facility
Training: Accredited courses leading to award of NVQs / recognised qualifications