CRE8 Program Fosters Employment Opportunities at Mossley Hill Mental Health Facility Construction Site

(IN BRIEF) The CRE8 pre-employment program has successfully created job opportunities for disadvantaged locals at the Mossley Hill Mental Health Facility construction site. Through collaboration with local partners, the program provides comprehensive training and work experience, leading to sustainable employment. One participant has already secured full-time employment, with others receiving ongoing support.

(PRESS RELEASE) LONDON, 5-Aug-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — The CRE8 pre-employment program, designed to create sustainable job opportunities for disadvantaged local individuals, has successfully been implemented at the construction site of the Mossley Hill Mental Health Facility in Liverpool. This initiative aims to tackle local unemployment and underemployment by attracting new talent to the construction industry.

A collaborative effort between Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust, Nobody Left Behind, and Building Careers UK, the CRE8 program integrates local recruitment and employability services. These partners are responsible for recruiting candidates, providing pre-employment training, matching them with employers, offering CSCS-accredited site-based work experience, and ensuring sustainable local employment opportunities, alongside follow-up career advice. This comprehensive approach makes CRE8 a pioneering initiative in the construction sector.

In its latest iteration, five participants completed the CRE8 program, gaining valuable experience at the Mossley Hill Mental Health Facility construction site. Hosted by GRAHAM, SCS, Kinlan Brickwork, and A+B Engineering, each delegate participated in a five-day work placement, gaining insights into various roles and the importance of each company to the project.

The work placements provided hands-on experience in the construction industry and specialized knowledge in building mental health facilities. By the end of the week, one participant was offered full-time employment with their host employer, while the remaining delegates have enrolled with Building Careers UK to receive ongoing support in finding sustainable local employment.

Andy Whalley, a CRE8 delegate, expressed his satisfaction, stating, “I really enjoyed it, and it has benefited me in experience and employment on site.”

Peter Reavey, Regional Director at GRAHAM, highlighted the program’s success, saying, “Having just delivered our ninth CRE8 program, this evidences the positive impact social value initiatives can have on the local communities we work in. By developing strong collaborative partnerships, CRE8 is leading the way to support disadvantaged people in gaining local sustainable employment opportunities.”

Rob Collins, Chief Finance Officer at Mersey Care, emphasized the importance of community engagement, saying, “Mersey Care sees itself at the heart of our local communities and supporting people’s wellbeing. We have a strong record of working with the community during the building stages of our new facilities. As we look to delivering this new mental healthcare facility for patients, I am pleased to endorse the engagement with these five local delegates as they play their part in understanding how a facility like this comes together.”

Darren Friend, CEO at SCS, underscored the program’s role in addressing the industry’s skills shortage, stating, “As we all know, the construction industry has a skills shortage that means over 250,000 extra skilled workers are required by 2028. We’re proud to be working with GRAHAM to introduce individuals to the industry as part of the CRE8 program. We are very excited to have found Andy Whalley who is now part of the construction team on Mossley Hill Hospital, learning the skills needed to become a Dryliner/Ceiling Fixer.”

About the new Mossley Hill Mental Health Facility

GRAHAM is constructing a state-of-the-art mental health facility through a contract with Liverpool and Sefton Health Partnership Ltd (LSHP) on land owned by Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust in Mossley Hill, Liverpool. The new inpatient facility will replace traditional shared dormitory wards with 80 single bedrooms, each with an ensuite bathroom. The hospital will also feature therapeutic spaces, light and airy environments, and facilities for family visitation and multi-faith worship.

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SOURCE: GRAHAM Group