Miller offers local school leavers a leg up in the construction industry

As this year’s school leavers anxiously await their GCSE results and think about their future career, Miller Construction and Coventry New Deal for Communities (NDC) are offering a helping hand to local students interested in construction.

Miller, the company building the NDC-funded Moat House Leisure and Neighbourhood Centre, is offering school leavers in the NDC areas of Wood End, Henley Green, Manor Farm and Deedmore, an opportunity to see first-hand how the centre is being built, as part of a work experience scheme.

There are two paid month-long work placements up for grabs as part of Miller’s Building Local Talent scheme. Each will give the trainee the chance to job-shadow and learn from the highly experienced project managers and site managers organising and monitoring the progress of the neighbourhood centre project.

In addition to the work placement scheme, Miller is also donating £500 to two local students interested in construction management, to assist them whilst working towards a qualification.

The student bursaries are for those over 16 living in the WEHM area and working towards a higher-level qualification (A levels/GNVQ or equivalent).

Miller Construction’s Building Local Talent initiative aims to make a difference to the communities in which the company works by providing opportunities to help people realise their own potential.

Simon Butler, area director for Miller Construction in the Midlands explained: “After leaving school it’s very difficult to decide what career path’s right for you, especially if you have no practical experience.

“So, we’re offering young people who are interested in a career in construction to see first-hand what it’s really like and whether it’s right for them.

“The Building Local Talent work placement schemes in Coventry offer the chance to gain valuable experience working alongside some of the most experienced construction managers in the country.

“We also understand the financial pressures on students working towards the necessary qualifications, so we wanted to offer some assistance and help make the journey a little easier by offering a bursary scheme to local students.”

Stinder Johl, Head of Development and Neighbourhood Services, Coventry New Deal for Communities added: “The construction of the new leisure and neighbourhood centre will be fantastic for the community once finished, and it also provides the perfect opportunity for some students to get some valuable experience whilst it’s being built.

”The two schemes offered by Miller Construction are a great way for young people in our area, who are starting out in their careers, to get their foot in the door.”

The new Moat House Leisure and Neighbourhood Centre in Coventry is a £10m project, funded by regeneration programme, Coventry NDC, the Council, Football Foundation and Sport England, to create a combined sports, recreational and Neighbourhood Centre.

The new centre will have office facilities, a sports hall, fitness gym, a multi-use room, classrooms, multi-use games areas, and an all-weather football pitch. The project is due for completion in December 2008.

Anyone wishing to apply for the work placement or bursary scheme should contact Stinder Johl, on 024 7662 2964 or email stinder.johl@coventry ndc-wehm.org.uk for an application form.

ENDS

Media Enquiries: Please contact Emma Radcliffe, Beattie Communications on 0161 932 1083 or email emma.radcliffe@beattiegroup.com

Notes to editors:

Miller Construction

Miller Construction is part of the Miller Group – the UK’s largest privately-owned housebuilding, property development and construction businesses. For more information visit www.construction.miller.co.uk.

Coventry Neighbourhood Centre

• £10 million two-storey community centre for Coventry City Council/NDC (New Deal for Communities) with attractive timber-clad and rendered finish.
• First project in a long-term regeneration of the Wood End/Henley Green/Deedmore/Manor Farm areas of the city
• Eco-friendly development including preservation of historic trees and installation of solar panels on roof of sports hall
• Sports facilities include:
o A 594 sq m single storey sports hall, comprising facilities for badminton, basketball, dance and exhibitions
o Fitness gym and multi-use area, male & female changing & toilet facilities
o Combined three small or one full size outside football pitches to latest 3G standard, + changing rooms
o Two enclosed outside floodlit multi-use games areas
• Neighbourhood centre will also include:
o Crèche and café facilities
o Two class rooms with storage rooms
o More than 2000 sq m of office space, conference and community rooms, with associated parking spaces
o Neighbourhood management team offices/social services/Wood End Advice centre
• The scheme is a 49 week project due to complete in December 2008
• Construction is currently on schedule and Miller Construction has every confidence the scheme will be delivered on time and within budget.