Young people in South Tyneside are being given an opportunity to gain a valuable insight into how a successful North East construction company operates and to learn new skills.

South Tyneside Council is working in partnership with major contractor Willmott Dixon on a new traineeship programme that is aimed at young people aged between 18 and 24 years old, who have an avid interest in the construction field.

The candidates are being recruited by South Tyneside-based Zenith People through a unique bootcamp process that will start on Monday 10 March 2014.

The traineeships are available in a variety of positions including General Operatives; Technical staff; Engineers Assistant; Ceilings & Partitions Fixer; and Groundworker. The chosen candidates will work on two current major projects that are being delivered for South Tyneside Council by Willmott Dixon – the redevelopment of South Shields Town Hall and the construction of the Hebburn Hub as part of the Hebburn Regeneration programme.


Andrew Mackintosh, Director for Willmott Dixon at its office in Gateshead said: "Training is the lifeblood of the construction industry; we need to equip thousands of new people each with skills to start them on a rewarding long-term career. Willmott Dixon is a proud backer of South Tyneside Council's new traineeship programme as it is very much part of our Transforming Communities approach to ensure our work creates a tangible legacy of skills and jobs."

The five-day Rising Star Bootcamps are lively and interesting, and although the young people will be expected to work hard, it will pay off as many of the previous bootcamp graduates can testify. During the bootcamp, candidates will meet Willmott Dixon managers and have an escorted tour of the sites in South Tyneside. These traineeships are expected to last for 8 to 10 weeks.

(CD/JP)