East Manchester’s New Deal for Communities team was having difficulty recruiting local people with the relevant knowledge of regeneration, and residents had highlighted that there was no career pathway into regeneration.

East Manchester’s New Deal for Communities team was having difficulty recruiting local people with the relevant knowledge of regeneration, and residents had highlighted that there was no career pathway into regeneration.

The NDC Regeneration Apprentices project allows local people to undertake a recognised qualification in regeneration while contributing to the redevelopment of their area.

The scheme employed four residents, chosen from 200 candidates including 140 local people, to undertake a two-year structured, accredited training programme, combined with work-based learning and experience. A training development coordinator, a local resident, provides ongoing support year one as apprentices undertake placements and in year two pursuing a specialism.

They provide a valuable resource by working alongside officers to develop ideas from conception to development, approval, appraisal, implementation and monitoring. They work with officers to gain a thorough knowledge of programme-wide management arrangements such as finance and evaluation, and gain an insight into the national context of regeneration.

All four have completed their portfolio at level two, been internally moderated and await certification. Three have begun a foundation degree in neighbourhood renewal at Salford University. The fourth is continuing an access course and begins his degree next year.

More apprentices will be recruited and the newly developed qualifications will be rolled out. The apprentices will be encouraged to apply for opportunities within the city.A co-ordinator in post before the programme began would speed up delivery and standardisation.

Placement providers needed to understand what to prepare. Initial partnerships initially proved difficult, but local providers increased their delivery capacity.

Regeneration projects, the community, the environment

Partners:

Funding:

Budget: £230,000

NDC New East Manchester
g.lamb@manchester.gov.uk

//2005

case

Urban Policy > Economy knowledge & employment > Training

Training for new professions, Lifelong learning