Workplace is a recruitment centre in Newham that is committed to helping employers find the right local people to work for them and to supporting local people who want those jobs. Our free service is on offer to Newham residents and employers across London.
Workplace helps 300 find work
December 04, 2007
An 18-year-old from Stratford was congratulated for being the 300th person to get a job through Workplace by Newham Mayor Sir Robin Wales at the Thames Gateway Forum.
For the past two years David Reynolds had been working towards a intermediate construction award at college. After completing his course he was keen to find work in the construction industry, as well as continue his education at advanced stage.
David first discovered Workplace, Newham Council's groundbreaking employment scheme, whilst reading the Newham Mag. He said: "I read about Workplace and thought it sounded interesting. My mum pushed me to visit the Stratford office. I had a short interview and left my details - it was very straight forward."
David continued: "A few weeks after visiting Workplace I had a call offering me an interview with construction company Higgins and managed to get the job. I'm now on a 13-week contract working in Canning Town helping with the regeneration of the area, which will hopefully lead to an apprenticeship with Higgins.
"This is my first job in construction and I am really enjoying it; it's good to be involved in building something from scratch."
David's day typically starts at 7.30am, when he arrives on site, and he finishes at 4pm. Twice a week he returns to college to undertake evening classes towards his advanced construction award.
Newham Council joined other regeneration professionals at the two-day Thames Gateway event at ExCeL to showcase exciting developments planned for the borough. Focusing on the progression of the Canning Town and Custom House regeneration project, the council gave visitors details of the £3.7billion scheme, which includes the demolition of 1,600 dwellings and the creation of 9,500 new homes. The development will also see the Rathbone shopping area transformed into a community hub with new shops, a revitalised market place, new library and local service centre. Also confirmed were plans for a second Workplace to open in Canning Town next year.
Sir Robin said: "I am committed to raising employment in the borough. The enthusiasm of people like David shows how important schemes like Workplace are. By raising resident aspirations and equipping them with the skills they need they have the opportunity to maximise the growing prospects available to them in Newham.
"Working in partnership with the London Thames Gateway Development Corporation we're improving the south of the borough with schemes such as Silvertown Quays, the introduction of Crossrail and of course the Canning Town and Custom House project - one of the largest regeneration programmes in Europe.
"The landscape of Newham is changing. These changes will benefit residents by giving them better housing choices, employment and training opportunities."
Thames Gateway Forum, hosted by the London Thames Gateway Development Corporation, is an annual event which brings together key public and private sector organisations within the Thames Gateway to find out more about what they have planned for the region. This year the event took place on the November 28 and 29 at ExCeL, London.