Project: CCP: Building Futures East (BFE)

BFE is a registered charity and training provider that serves mainly the communities in the east end of Newcastle, offering training in several areas, including basic construction skills.

Project feature

This is a training centre for various routes; Jo's visit on 12 May 2009 was to the construction side. The project manager, Caroline Mason, described the process: participants are trained in basic construction skills, with embedded literacy and numeracy, plus employability skills. Although BFE was originally set up to provide training for people from the east of the city, in fact they are getting referrals from across the region. As in other CCP projects, the emphasis is on individualised training, with a focus on those aspects that might need additional help. They work with unemployed men and women who may have recently lost their jobs, or who may have been unemployed for a while, and who may have other barriers to employment. The centre offers qualifications at Foundation Level for Construction, and at the required level for individuals (following assessment) for literacy and numeracy. As part of the employability training, participants also get help with CVs and interview skills.

One of the interviewees, George, had started his working life in the shipyards, very close to where BFE is now based. After the demise of that industry he worked in Woolworths for many years. Having recently been made redundant at the age of 61, he is retraining in basic construction skills and really enjoying it. The participants were very positive about their course. Many of the participants have found some kind of work, and all felt that the skills would be useful whether for work or for personal use. There was a sense of great peer support, especially across the age groups.

Contact details

Caroline Mason, Project manager
Building Futures East
Low Yard Road, White Street, Walker, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 3PJ
(0191) 263 2752
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