In partnership with OnSide, David Wilson Homes has inspired the young people at Warrington Youth Zone to consider potential career paths in the construction industry.
The Warrington-based developer led a speed-dating style workshop at the Youth Zone to give young people from disadvantaged backgrounds a chance to spend time with different departments from David Wilson Homes and learn about the career opportunities in housebuilding.
In attendance to speak with the young people were Martha Penney (Private Rented Sector Manager), Richard Harris (Senior Technical Engineer) and Alex Dilley (Senior Land Manager).
Following National Careers Week (3rd to 8th March), a team of representatives from the housebuilder spent time with the charity’s senior young people, aged 12 to 19, to introduce each department, what they do and the skills required, before moving them on to the next department to repeat the process.
With it being an important time for those at the Youth Zone, David Wilson Homes hoped to provide them with a wide range of career paths to consider whilst inspiring the next generation of housebuilders.
During the visit to Warrington Youth Zone, David Wilson Homes’ employees were able to elaborate on the apprenticeship opportunities with the homebuilder, in addition to potential work experience in the future.
The workshop was also held at a poignant time, immediately after International Women’s Day (8th March), which gave the housebuilder a chance to speak with the young girls and discuss the business’ focus on encouraging more women into construction, their role models, and gender equality.
Claire Jarvis, Managing Director at David Wilson Homes North West, said: “We were delighted to partner with OnSide to discuss the many career opportunities in housebuilding with the young people at Warrington Youth Zone. We hope the workshop gave those in attendance an insight into the prospects ahead of them.
“It’s especially important for women in construction to speak with girls as their role models in the hope they see the industry as one for career progression. In raising awareness of the roles available, we can shift the perception of the industry being male-dominated.”
OnSide builds state-of-the-art multi-million-pound youth centres (called Youth Zones) in the most economically disadvantaged areas of the UK. Staffed by skilled and dedicated youth workers, OnSide empowers young people to lead positive and fulfilling lives. With 15 Youth Zones already operating and a further seven due to open by 2026, the charity is the largest provider of open-access youth work in the country.
The Barratt Foundation recently donated £300,000 to the charity, which will help it continue to transform the lives of young people. The grant will be essential in enabling the current Youth Zones to continue their life-changing support, empowering thousands of young people to thrive.
To find out how to access OnSide’s Youth Zones or to support its work, visit the website at OnSide.
For more information about the career opportunities available at David Wilson Homes, visit the website at Barratt Redrow Careers.
For information about any nearby developments by the housebuilder in the county, visit the website at David Wilson Homes in Cheshire.
