A partnership project has provided hands-on training to students in Carlisle who have helped build 50 homes on a new estate.

The £7 million housing development in Carlisle has been delivered by social housing provider Riverside in partnership with Carlisle City Council, Esh Construction and Carlisle College.

It has helped upskill local young people by providing practical onsite training for students and apprentices, while also helping to deliver new affordable homes for rent.

Hannah Camm is studying a bricklaying course at the college and laid bricks to one of the first homes built. She said:

This partnership project has allowed me to develop the skills that I’ve been learning at college alongside working on a building site and I’ve enjoyed it. I worked beside three people who helped me develop my building skills to give that invaluable practical experience which will help me secure work in the future.

Working on a building site has also enabled me to showcase the role of females in the construction industry, which is something that I am passionate about.

Sarah Paton, Riverside’s Regional Director for the North, added:

This project demonstrates successful joint partnership work by all involved which we can adopt on future developments. This includes the social value aspect, providing hands-on work experience for construction students and apprentices that we hope will help address the skills shortage in the area.

Eight construction students and apprentices were able to gain practical onsite training by doing nine-week placements a few days a week in painting, decorating, plastering, bricklaying, joinery, plumbing and electrics to develop their skills to help secure future employment.

The development benefits from £1.4m grant funding from Homes England, as Carlisle City Council identified the need for more properties for affordable rent in the area.

Riverside welcomed Impact Housing to the Group in 2018, and as part of Riverside’s commitment to support their development programme this new estate will be managed by Impact.

Riverside is one of the leading registered providers of social housing in the UK and is committed to building more affordable homes across the country.

Image credit: Riverside