LHT offers job opportunities to tenants

Sunday 9th August 2009

Liverpool Housing Trust (LHT) is offering work placements to tenants thanks to its new employment initiative.

Contractors have agreed to support LHT, part of the Vicinity Housing Group, in addressing worklessness and financial exclusion by providing work experience opportunities to tenants from LHT neighbourhoods.

Working in partnership with Liverpool City Council's JET Service, LHT contractors are offering residents living in LHT neighbourhoods a paid 13 week Transitional Employment Programme. The programme includes three weeks of training, gaining qualifications such as health and safety through the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) accreditation followed by 10 weeks of practical work experience.

The positions vary due to job vacancy availability but include site based trades and office administration support. The programme is open to adults of all ages and gender and trainees receive a wage for a 35 hour week, free transport passes and relevant protective clothing and tools.

The criteria for the Transitional Employment Programme are that individuals must:
• Be unemployed
• Registered with JET

To date five contractors have committed to work placements. In particular MITIE has taken on three individuals on a full time basis:
• Central heating flushing engineer
• Tenant liaison officer
• Van driver

Simon Brown, LHT Divisional Director - Asset Management says: "Offering employment opportunities is an excellent way to make a positive contribution to support the neighbourhoods we are working in. We are grateful for the support of our contractors especially given the difficult economic climate, and it demonstrates what can be achieved''.

James Tattan, Director, MITIE who has taken on three employees on a full time basis commented: "We are delighted to be able to offer this type of employment opportunity and to support LHT in this excellent initiative."

Trainee Tenant Liaison Officer, Andrea Lovelady, said: "I needed support in finding an opportunity to train - now I have the chance I am certainly going to make the most of it."

Posted by 0 for Liverpool Housing Trust