Starting on 4 June, 15 Huntingdon residents aged between 16 and 65 are working together on the Green Skills project, run by Groundwork Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, the community charity with a green heart. The project has been part-funded by the LEP’s Prize Challenge Fund.
The group, all of whom have an interest in construction, landscaping or working outdoors, will spend two days a week for six weeks improving the park for the community to enjoy. They will do things like constructing large timber raised beds, building garden benches and planting up various areas.
The volunteers will also benefit from the project; they will work towards a City & Guilds Level 1 Award in Employability and Personal Development as well as a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) health & safety card, which will make them eligible for work in the construction sector.
They will also develop their interview skills, polishing them through a mock interview with local business people – an exercise that has, in the past, led to participants securing jobs.
The employment support won’t end there; Groundwork will continue to help participants once the project finishes, through the Grassroots project.
Chris Dungate, Groundwork’s Employment Manager, said: “It’s great to launch our third Green Skills in the district. It’s a brilliant example of how our broader Grassroots employment programme helps local people into work by combining practical work experience with support in softer skills like interview technique or job searching.
“Not only will participants learn new skills, they’ll also meet others in the community and improve their confidence – all important steps on the path to employment, training or further education.”
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