Guaranteed construction jobs in a bid to beat ‘Blue Monday’

More than 1,000 guaranteed job opportunities are to be made immediately available for people in and around the Brixton and the wider London area to beat the ‘blue Monday’.

As construction sites remain fully open during the Covid-19 lockdown, construction training specialists, the Skills Centre, and building and civil engineering contractor O’Halloran & O’Brien Ltd, are looking to recruit workers for multiple building projects.

The two companies are offering immediate opportunities to people looking for work in a bid to combat ‘blue Monday’ – the third Monday of the month in January, which is said to be the most depressing day of the year.

Jon Howlin, Managing Director of the Skills Centre, said: “The pandemic has decimated many industries, leaving many people worried about what the future holds after the furlough scheme ends.

“Through this partnership, we are offering an amazing chance for people of all ages and from all walks of life to access new opportunities in the new year and get free training with an experienced construction expert through The Skills Centre.

“Not only that, but you are guaranteed an interview for a real job at the end of it. It’s a programme we’re very proud of.

“The best thing about this is project is that we are not only encouraging new people into the industry, but that we are also able to offer them a real job at the end of it.

“It has been great to partner with OHOB and help those who have been dealt a bad hand in the past few months a chance at a new career.

“2020 has been a very difficult year for construction and we look forward to training tomorrow’s construction workers and helping to get the industry back on its feet.”

The Skills Centre provides specialised educational programmes and opportunities to help people get into the construction industry.

A free 15-day, industry-led construction training programme will be offered to all that apply, and they will then be guaranteed a job interview.

No previous experience in the sector is needed, just enthusiasm and a willingness to learn.

All those who complete and pass the three-week course will get a Green Labourers CSCS card, Level 1 Award in Health & Safety in a Construction Environment, and Construction health and safety certificates (including manual handling).

Following the training, they will be guaranteed a job interview for one of the thousand jobs on offer – including shuttering-carpenters, steel-fixers, pipe-layers, ground-workers and strikers throughout the Greater London area.

Martyn Price MBE, Workforce Development Director from O’Halloran & O’Brien Ltd and Chairman of the Cross-Industry Construction Apprenticeship Task Force, said: “The industry really needs investment in new people joining the sector and so we are incredibly excited to see this programme begin.

“Our commitment to training is the bedrock of our business and builds on our strong foundations to deliver a safe, competent and qualified workforce for the future.

“We look forward to strengthening the construction workplace with well-trained new recruits through this fantastic joint initiative with the Skills Centre.”

Emphasised by the UK Government, strict Covid-safe protocols remain in place to ensure work being undertaken on a building site protects all workers.