News and Communication

Trainees from North Staffordshire are being recruited to help carry out an improvement programme at Knutton Lane.

Low maintenance gardens, boundary walls, railings and off-road parking provision are being provided in Knutton Lane, Moran Road and Arthur Street as part of a housing market renewal programme.

The improvements are being delivered by Aspire Housing, Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council and RENEW North Staffordshire.

Youngsters aged between 16 and 18-years-old are being employed through PM Training, a local social enterprise organisation.

PM Training, part of the Aspire Group, was set up in 1982 and provides high quality training and employment opportunities, with a focus on tackling worklessness among young people.

Darren Green, Senior Regeneration Manager at Aspire Housing, said: "This scheme has been welcomed with open arms by residents and is an example of partnership working at its best.

"The fact that we’re able to develop the skills and expertise of young people at the beginning of their working life at the same time is fantastic."

The trainees develop skills such as bricklaying, landscape gardening and block paving with a view to gaining an apprenticeship after two years.

Up to eight youngsters are employed at a time – three current trainees live within a mile of the area.

Cllr. Robin Studd, Cabinet member for regeneration and planning at Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, said: "Collectively we’re raising the aspirations of young people by giving them the opportunity to earn while they learn.

"The scheme is designed to continue the transformation of Knutton into a desirable place where people want to live.

"It is hoped that the improvements will instil a sense of pride in the community and enhance residents’ quality of life."

The scheme is scheduled to be completed by the end of March 2010.

Peter Bounds, chair of RENEW North Staffordshire, added: "We have worked closely with our partners to give local people the opportunity to get real hands-on work experience through projects that will regenerate North Staffordshire.

"We will continue to support future trainee and apprenticeship opportunities as this is a key priority for the RENEW programme."

Trainees will continue to be employed at further projects in Lower Milehouse Lane and Cross Heath.

Bookmark this story using

• del.icio.us
• facebook
• reddit
• stumble upon

• We produce a weekly news podcast available free from this website or via Apple's iTunes service.
• Each edition of The Reporter is available as an audio file. The podcast is available through the Council website or via Apple's iTunes service.

• BBC National News
• The Sentinel
• BBC Radio Stoke
• Signal One