J.G. Hale Construction opens its doors to Kickstart placements

Welsh building contractor, J.G. Hale Construction, has announced its support of the UK Government’s £2billion Kickstart scheme, launched by Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak to help combat the negative effects on employment opportunities for young people brought about by COVID-19.

The initiative – delivered in partnership with the Department for Work and Pensions – provides a six-month funded work placement, for individuals at risk of long-term unemployment.

Candidates must be aged 16-24 and claiming Universal Credit, to be eligible for the scheme. The aim of each placement is to provide an introduction into the workplace, by equipping young adults with the necessary skills, training, and confidence to become ready for the world of work.

J.G. Hale Construction currently has five live Kickstart placements available, across developments in Cardiff, Newport, Neath, and Llandrindod Wells, ranging from administerial roles to site housekeeping and traffic control. If you live in these areas, and are interested in finding out more, please speak to your DWP mentor who can provide guidance on how to apply.

Each placement is being delivered as part of J.G. Hale Construction’s commitment to targeted recruitment and training provision, with its project partners – Coastal Housing, POBL Group, Newydd Housing and Wales & West Housing – with future scope for further placements across its newer developments with clients Newport City Homes, Tai Tarian and Valleys to Coast.

Managing Director at J.G. Hale Construction, David Harrhy, said:

“It’s been a tough year for employability, with the economic challenges of Covid-19. We must not forget the barriers that young adults will now face around entering the world of work. J.G Hale Construction are wholeheartedly committed to assisting these individuals with Kickstart placements; a positive step towards ensuring that their generation are not left behind.”

The Kickstart placements have been made possible via a collaboration with Bridgend College, which is an intermediary Kickstart Gateway provider. Throughout each placement, the college’s employability coaches will provide a programme of mentorship and training support for the candidate.

Careers and Employer Engagement Manager at the College, Steve Jones, added:

“We are delighted to be working with many industry partners, including J.G. Hale Construction, to create new opportunities through the Kickstart Scheme for young adults in Wales. We are proud to have enabled numerous different organisations to benefit from the scheme, with over 160 new job vacancies created already, and many candidates placed in new employment.”