The Griffiths site team working on the St Austell to A30 Link Road project has successfully collaborated with Cornwall Neighbourhoods for Change (CN4C), the Department of Work and Pensions, and local recruitment agency TR2, in a bid to help unemployed community members re-enter the workforce.
Cornwall Neighbourhoods for Change stepped forward to fund individuals meeting their criteria of being unemployed or economically inactive, enabling them to obtain a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card and attend a Health and Safety course. Local residents were referred to the charity through the Job Centre to take advantage of this valuable opportunity.
In addition, Griffiths provided these individuals with a site visit and an insightful discussion with the project team, offering a realistic view of what it is like to work on a construction site. This experience was crucial in helping the attendees understand the nature of construction work.
TR2, the local recruitment agency, also participated in the initiative, delivering a talk on how they could support the individuals in securing employment and explaining the various payment methods available. Following this, they conducted interviews with all 11 participants, successfully signing up all of them.
As a result of this collaborative effort, 11 local unemployed individuals have now gained a CSCS card qualification and are registered with TR2, poised to begin work, potentially with Griffiths or within other sectors of the construction industry. This initiative marks a significant step towards empowering local residents and strengthening the community through sustainable employment opportunities.
