Around fifty local people will benefit from new jobs, training, and education opportunities over the next two years through the regeneration of Keynsham town centre.
The employment and skills arrangements agreed by the Council with its construction partners Willmott Dixon were announced as clearance on-site began in earnest with the start of demolishing the retail units yesterday.
Work experience placements, graduate and apprentice placements, new jobs, and training and qualifications will be created up to the completion of the project in Autumn 2014. Construction workshops with local schools to support their curriculum will also be held by Willmott Dixon.
Councillor Paul Crossley (Lib-Dem, Southdown), Leader of Council, said, “With the start of demolition of the retail units and recent planning approval there is a sense that the regeneration of Keynsham is now happening for real. The positive news for our community as work starts is that Bath & North East Somerset Council has secured a range of new jobs and skills development opportunities especially for our residents. In other words, local people will have a role in building and learning from the bricks and mortar which represent the foundation for Keynsham’s regeneration.”
The scheme includes new space for shops and restaurants, new library and One Stop Shop for local public sector services, new streets and spaces for markets and events, and low carbon sustainable Council offices. A vastly improved town centre will encourage private sector investment into Keynsham resulting in new jobs, new homes and opportunities for local people.
Neal Stephens, managing director at Willmott Dixon in the South West, added, “As one of the leading construction companies in the South West, we are committed to the regeneration of communities in the area. Not just with new and improved buildings that have a lower carbon footprint and reduced running-costs, but also through increased investment in the local economy and local job opportunity creation.
“By sourcing all of our materials locally and using local contractors wherever possible, we are able to give as much back to the community as we can while recreating a vibrant town centre for Keynsham.”
The project represents part of the Council’s overall plans for the town which include the redevelopment of Somerdale and the Riverside building that the Council will vacate.
The breakdown of the opportunities for local people are 6 work placements for young people – including two of these for care leavers, 9 opportunities for graduate and apprentices, 7 new jobs on site, and 25 training and qualification opportunities for local subcontractors.
To find out more about these opportunities contact [email protected] or call 0292 0221002.
