The Kotuku Environmental Labour Project (KELP) equips the youngsters with basic skills and qualifications, and matches them with work opportunities in the construction and waste management industries. It is run by Andrew Pears from Kotuku, a Chiswick-based Community Interest Company which promote sustainable resource management in the construction industry.
The scheme received Lottery Funding for a pilot scheme in July. After initial success, the second intake of candidates started their training this week and Andrew plans to run the course quarterly.
Learning
Young unemployed candidates are put forward by Job Centre Plus and interviewed for their suitability for manual work and their commitment to getting and holding down a job.
Successful candidates undergo a two week training course and learn about health & safety, waste and sustainability.The course is delivered at a Materials Recycling Facility (MRF)and live construction site as well as in the classroom.Subjects include the waste hierarchy, how to segregate mixed loads of waste and how to describe waste using European Waste Codes (EWCs) as well as operative level health and safety with candidates qualifying for a Construction Skills Certificate Scheme (CSCS) green card.
Candidates are then offered a 26 week fixed-term contract of employment in the waste or construction industry.They are supported throughout their work placements by a Support Coordinator who visits and communicates with them regularly.
Addressing unemployment
The capital suffers from high youth unemployment with 128,000 London youths not in employment, education or training (NEETS) in the last quarter of 2011 up from 105,000 in the first quarter (ONS February 2012).Young people are finding it difficult to compete in a tough job market with ever decreasing entry level positions.
Andrew Pears says: Over 75% of labouring jobs advertising by JobCentre Plus in July 2012 required previous experience and 100% required a CSCS green card. Lack of experience and the short term nature of many basic work positions give little incentive to come off benefits and create huge problems for the youth of today. KELP aims to address these issues whilst providing an attractive proposition for employers in order to help more young people into the workforce.
Benefiting employers
Employers through the scheme benefit from reduced risk of starting unqualified and inexperienced employees, as candidates are pre-selected and trained by industry professionals. As Environmental Labourers, they have enhanced skills and knowledge on sustainable waste management. Candidates must be offered at least the national minimum wage but employment costs are r less than agency workers and employers have the opportunity to help their local community.
“This is a great initiative to provide training to people looking to join the waste and construction industries”
Simon Little, Powerday
An early supporter of the scheme has been recycling company Powerday which held a training day at itsMRF in North West London and provided one of the first placements.
Simon Little, Powerdays sales and marketing director, who delivered the training said: This is a great initiative to provide training to people looking to join the waste and construction industries and to help us support local communities.
“One of the key benefits of expanding our business is the opportunity to provide jobs to the local community at a time when they are needed the most. Powerday has an ethos of giving back and a commitment to giving young people a chance so it really strikes a chord with us and Im very happy that we have been able to support this project from the start.
Candidate placements
Out of the first intake of six candidates in July 2012, four passed and were placed in roles at Powerday, MJ Lonsdale and Jerram Falkus Construction. KELP started the second course on 1st October for six candidates.Opportunities for this intake of candidates include placements at Powerday and two London Construction sites.
Andrew says: We learnt a huge amount from the pilot, particularly the abilities these young people have if encouraged and supported to develop them. Im very excited to have started the second course. Its hugely rewarding to give these individuals an opportunity to get on the job ladder, to see them grasp the chance and move their lives forward.
Two more placements are required from mid October for candidates successfully completing the current course. Companies interested in supporting the project and offering placements should contact Andrew Pears at andrew@kotuku.org.
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