Contractors working in Barking and Dagenham have agreed to create over 560 new construction jobs and hundreds of new apprenticeships by 2025.

The Council’s regeneration company, Be First has reached an agreement with its construction industry partners to deliver full time jobs and extensive training and educational opportunities.

The news comes in the run up to Skills London 2019 this month where Be First and the contractors; McLaren Construction Ltd, Wates Residential, Willmott Dixon Construction Ltd, J. Murphy & Sons Ltd, Jerram Falkus Construction Ltd, Mulalley & Company Ltd and United Living (South), will have a joint stand, aimed at encouraging local young people to consider careers in the construction industry.

Tom Mather, Construction Director at Be First, said: “Within the next five years, we will be building thousands of affordable homes in the borough.  But we’re determined to build strong sustainable communities too, and long-term well-paid jobs are clearly a vital part of this.

“So, with our construction partners, we’re looking to inspire young people to join an industry which has an amazing range of trades and skills, offers excellent wages, and is set to go from strength to strength in East London for the foreseeable future.”

“I strongly encourage local young people to come along to Skills London 2019 to find out just what’s on offer.”

The agreement between Be First and contractors includes:

  • 561 new full-time, long term and well paid jobs for people living in Barking and Dagenham
  • 264 apprenticeships will be created and supported to complete their qualification and beyond; delivering over 25,000 weeks of training
  • 350 weeks of vocational work experience to support those looking for their first step into a career
  • 72 educational workshops to inspire our boroughs workforce of the future
  • 36 Business and Enterprise training events to ensure local businesses are equipped to secure the supply chain opportunities generated through Be First.

Skills London 2019 takes place at the ExCeL centre in the Royal Docks on 15 and 16 November and is free to attend.