Tuesday, July 19, 2016

News: Mears opens national training academy in Rotherham

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Mears, the UK's leading provider of social housing repairs and maintenance services, has officially opened its new national Training Academy at the AESSEAL New York Stadium in Rotherham.

In 2012, Mears acquired Morrison Facilities Services, the company that maintained council properties in Rotherham, as part of £60.5m contract signed in 2010. The five and a half year deal, with four possible one-year extensions, is to repair and maintain 13,000 properties in Rotherham North, Rotherham South and Wentworth North.

Opened on site of the former Guest & Chrimes foundry on the edge of Rotherham town centre in 2012, the £20m stadium was built with a number of units and space for commercial and community uses and to host a variety of events.

Taking nearly 9,000 sq ft of space in the main stand, the Training Academy delivers accredited apprenticeships for those starting a career in construction and social housing repairs and maintenance, as well as providing training for those currently working in the industry.

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Housed over five floors, the facility has three dedicated workshops, classrooms, meeting rooms and an IT suite. It runs courses on plumbing, electrics, roofing, carpentry, joinery, plastering, and painting and decorating for up to 120 people per day.

The Rotherham Academy is a national training facility and is run by in-house training company, Mears Learning, which also operates a new training academy in Brentwood, Essex.

Graham Eden, executive director of Mears, said: "We have opened the Training Academy as part of our ongoing efforts to address skills shortages in the sector. It is estimated that 230,000 new tradespeople will be needed in the UK by 2020.

"The main objective of the Training Academy is to support unemployed young people and adults of all ages and sexes to gain skills for employment. It will also include a new business and management school and, in the future, offer purpose-designed courses and services to our clients."

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Cllr. Dominic Beck, Cabinet Member for Housing at Rotherham Council, added: "The Council is delighted one of our main partners has decided to create its national academy in Rotherham, which will add real value in terms of employment opportunities and further benefits to the local economy.

"If we are to meet the requirements for housing in Rotherham, it is essential we have skilled and expert local tradespeople. Giving young people a chance to gain skills will not only help them gain employment, but also help us fill the skills gap to meet the growing demand for affordable housing."

The award-winning Rotherham United Community Sports Trust (RUCST) is also opening a training facility at the stadium, fitting out three floors with classrooms, office space and a health / activity floor.

Rotherham-based Burgess Commercial is acting on behalf of the landlord, R U Estates, and have also secured a letting with the TTC Group taking 2,200 sq ft of space.

Mears Group website

Images: Mears

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