Three local youngsters have embarked on six-month contracts as
ground workers with Land Engineering.
Craig Allan (16) from Bo'ness, Alex Cooper (16) from
Grangemouth and Jay Anderson (16) from Shieldhill will
undertake an SVQ Level 2 in Construction Operations.
The trio will carry out a wide range of footpath construction
and maintenance activities in the Helix South area (primarily
Beancross, Laurieston, Westquarter and Polmont). Their training and
responsibilities will include paving, kerbing, drainage, temporary
traffic management, setting out and removing signs, barriers and
cones, and operating plant equipment such as road breakers,
concrete mixers and wacker plates.
Councillor Adrian Mahoney, the convener of Falkirk Council's
economic strategy and development committee, said: "I'm really
pleased to see local young people from the Council's Get Ready for
Work programme get involved in the creation of the Helix - a
fantastic new park and visitor attraction, set to launch in
2013.
"The trainees will get an opportunity to gain a Modern
Apprenticeship qualification through their work with Land
Engineering and gain a range of construction skills."
He added: "The Council is supporting the placements through its
initiative, Backing Falkirk's Future - which aims to increase jobs
and training opportunities for local young people. Anyone
interested in following the example set by Land Engineering and the
Helix can find out more at www.falkirk.gov.uk/backingfalkirksfuture."
Councillor Mahoney - who serves on the Helix board - said: "The
Helix is a major project in the Council area to create a fantastic
recreational space. It's important that it not only provides
first-rate park and leisure facilities, but also good quality jobs
and training opportunities. Over the next two years there are plans
to engage further trainees in the construction phase - helping even
more young people get on-the-job training across the Helix
site."
Helix programme director Mike King said: "As the Helix
transforms land between Falkirk and Grangemouth into a major new
parkland and international visitor attraction, we will continue to
work closely with Falkirk Council's Employment & Training Unit
to explore further trainee recruitment opportunities which
may lead to longer term arrangements."
Mike added: "We're delighted to have our first three trainees on
board. Land Engineering have confirmed that, subject to
satisfactory performance, they'll consider employing all three
beyond the initial six months. They've also agreed to liaise with
their own subcontractors to see if they have any suitable
opportunities."
Above photo shows left to right, Craig
Allan, Jay Anderson and Alex Cooper.
Notes To Editors
The Helix
Phase one of the Helix, scheduled for completion by summer 2013,
will offer a central park with its own enclosed lagoon and outdoor
events space. Boaters will be able to navigate a new canal link
connecting Grangemouth and the Firth of Forth to Scotland's
extensive canal network.
The centrepiece of the new canal link will be the stunning
Kelpies® lock: two 30-metre-high sculptures in the
shape of horse's heads.
Other planned developments include pathways and cycle networks,
a major public artwork and a range of community facilities.
The Helix has been awarded £25 million by the Big Lottery Fund's
Living Landmarks programme, the largest single grant to be made to
an individual project .
For more details about the Helix, visit www.thehelix.co.uk
Land Engineering
Ayrshire-based Land Engineering is one of Scotland's leading
names in public realm environmental improvement work,
stonework and grounds maintenance.
For more information: www.landengineering.co.uk
For further information regarding this press release,
contact Bill Moore, tel 01324 590717 or email bill.moore@falkirk.gov.uk
The Helix Trust is a company limited by guarantee
and is a charity registered in Scotland, number
SC040959