The Mayor of London has praised the “crucial role” played by the Building Crafts College in Newham in helping local residents get into the construction sector. The Mayor expressed his support for the work done by the College in a letter to Local London Assembly Member, Unmesh Desai AM. Mr Desai had contacted the Mayor on behalf of the College to find out how they can be involved in his new initiative, the Construction Academy Scheme.
Mr Desai wrote to the Mayor earlier in the summer following a visit to the Building Crafts College. He was shown around the College by the Bursar Tim Martin, including a tour of the workshops where students were learning carpentry, stonemasonry and other construction skills.
The visit concluded with a discussion regarding the College’s plans for the future and how they can be involved in the Mayor’s initiatives to get more people into the highly-skilled construction and digital workforces.
In his letter Mr Desai asked the Mayor how existing institutions can be involved in his plans to ensure that London has the skilled workers it needs to meet the Mayor’s house building targets and other major construction projects. In his response, the Mayor said he would welcome the involvement of the Building Crafts College in his proposed Construction Academy Scheme and praised their “crucial role” in delivering constructions skills in the capital.
Local London Assembly Member, Unmesh Desai AM, said:
“I am very pleased to hear that institutions such as the Building Crafts College will be given an opportunity to get involved in the Mayor’s plans.
“The College are already doing a fantastic job to train the carpenters, construction workers and stonemasons London desperately needs and this expertise can hopefully now be shared with others.”
Responding to the Mayor's letter the College said:
"We at the Building Crafts College are proud of our record of working closely with the community in Newham to develop routes into employment. A key objective for the College has always been to support local people in gaining a trade and developing their skills in wood, stone, conservation and construction, so that Newham residents also benefit from our position as a leading Further Education provider. It's really good news that the Mayor has recognised our achievements; we aim to build on the community dimension as the College grows in future."
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Notes to editors
Notes
- The letter was sent by Unmesh Desai AM to the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan on 29th June 2017;
- In the Mayor’s response, dated 9 August 2017 he said:
“I understand that as part of this Lloyds Bank-funded initiative [the Lloyds Bank Construction Skills Centre Programme Steering Group], the Building Crafts College is playing a crucial role in delivering short multi-skills construction courses, which enable Newham residents to progress into employment in the construction sector with the assistance of Newham Workplace’s job brokerage service.”
- He also referred to the up-coming plans for his Construction Academy Scheme in the letter:
“With its unique training offer in London, we would certainly welcome the Building Crafts College’s involvement in the Construction Academy Scheme.”
- Mr Desai visited the College on Friday 23rd June 2017.
- The Building Crafts College have been on the Carpenters Estate since 2001. They teach a variety of courses for different ages and experience levels. More information about the College and a full list of their courses is available on their website - http://www.thebcc.ac.uk/;
- Skills for Londoners is an initiative from the Mayor of London designed to give Londoners the opportunity to train in the skills required for the economy. This includes the Construction Skills Academy to help train a new generation of house builders. Information about Skills for Londoners is available on the website - https://www.london.gov.uk/what-we-do/business-and-economy/skills-for-londoners;
- Unmesh Desai is the London Assembly Member for City and East.