R

Rosehill Court Proposal London Borough of Sutton

December 2013

Agenda Item 6Page 29

WHY BUILDING LIVES?

We currently have an academy based within Carshalton College which delivers 20 apprenticeship placements a year. We have experience a high demand for this service in the borough and have been highly commended for the success of the academy so far. To meet this demand and to extend our reach to support more Sutton residents we are looking for larger premises to deliver our full programme of 50 apprenticeship placements per year. We approached the London Borough of Sutton to explore the possibility of establishing a partnership to assist us with the search for a suitable premise and capital funding to transform the building into an academy. Building Lives and council staff have identified the empty retail units at Rosehill Court as suitable premises to establish a Building Lives academy as its central location and visibility will ensure its established within the community and attracts local residents. Building Lives is an award winning Community Interest Company and registered Social Enterprise that was set up by Steve Rawlings, the founder of a large successful construction company called Lakehouse. Steve grew up in the East End and started as an apprentice roofer 40 years ago. After discovering that 47% of people living in social housing were unemployed, Steve decided he wanted to give something back to the community. Building Lives welcomes everybody. Our focus is on getting unemployed people of all ages and backgrounds into sustainable construction careers. Our apprentice backgrounds are reflective of the environment in which we operative and the communities that we serve.

Building Lives current demographics are: 10% Female (Industry Average for construction is 1%) 30% Homeless 40% BME (Industry Average is 3%) 40% ex-offenders Four out of five apprentices go on to sustain employment 6 months after they have completed a Building Lives apprenticeship. - 85% of apprentices complete their 16 month multi-skilled paid apprenticeships and gain an NVQ

Level 2 in Maintenance Operations - 78% of apprentices go on to sustain employment after they have completed their apprenticeships

often taken on by the sub-contractors they worked with during their course - We work with 30% NEETS - The maximum caseload is 25 apprentices for each Apprentice Officer and our Apprentice

Officers see their apprentices weekly at the Academy and visit them on site regularly - We have a 100% recommendation rate from our apprentices - obs - and so far we have helped

previously unemployed local 16-64 year olds into sustainable jobs and this number is growing all the time

OUR PROGRAMME Building Lives offers a range of construction training, all of which has quality at its core. Our 5 unique training academies provide a structured approach which includes 11 weeks of pre-employment training. Students are

best chance of completing the apprenticeship. All apprentices will receive protective equipment (hard hat, boots, reflective vest), industry required certification for working on construction sites (CSCS card), actual work placements across the industry and a BTEC Level 1 in construction.

Perhaps most importantly we train for jobs and work with some of the UKs most renowned construction companies so our apprentices get the best work placements possible. Across London we have paid work placements with: Kier, Berkeley Group, Sir Robert McAlpine, Rydon, Lovell, Countryside, Telford Homes, Swan Housing, Mansell, Mulalley, Croudace, of course Lakehouse and many more. These training programmes are delivered in partnership with local colleges at each academy; all our college partners are carefully selected and well sort of in the education sector and deliver the technical certificate for each learner. The programme includes functional skills (literacy and numeracy) at level 1 or above.

Agenda Item 6 Page 30

What can we deliver in Sutton Benefits and Outcomes Currently we have a training academy based within Carshalton college in partnership with the college and Sutton Housing Partnership. This academy has had great results and is highly commended in the borough. The demand for apprenticeships has been high both with potential candidates and local contractors. We have worked with over 20 apprentices at the Sutton academy; many who are nearly are coming to the end of their apprenticeship and at this moment over half of these are on course to be offered employment with the contractors they have been working with. One of the apprentices based at the

states:

invaluable member of our team here on site. He has worked with several different trades on several different stages of the build and each time the operatives have nothing but praise

Each apprentice is managed and mentored throughout their programme by our dedicated Apprentice Officer Philippa Somerset who ensures they are on track to complete all areas of their apprenticeship. Following a recent recruitment exercise we were overwhelmed by the interest from the local residents, as a consequence we have put through 50 candidates into taster weeks; despite the fact with existing academy we only have the capacity of 20 apprentices. A benefit of a larger academy we would be able to deliver 50 apprentice placements and this recent recruitment exercise has illustrated that there is a high demand for this in the area. Currently we are working with a range of contractors in the borough who are on board with the programme, namely:

Lakehouse Mulalley (Croydon and Sutton) Rydon Rydon Maintenance J Ollif

Croudace Skill Crown LTC Elite Technical Services.

These contractors have confirmed their commitment to working with Building Lives in our future delivery in the borough by offering 50 paid apprenticeship placements between them. We have a number of interested candidates for a new programme in the borough, many being unemployed young borough residents who are looking for an alternative to mainstream college placements. We also have commitment from the council to access section 106 agreements to support these placement opportunities. In order to deliver a larger cohort and to reach more unemployed residents we need more suitable premises. A larger academy would serve the whole borough and deliver the following training and employment opportunities to unemployed residents:

100 placements on the Entry Level 3 taster week 80 placements on the Pre-Apprenticeship programme, training then in a Level 1 BTEC in Construction,

work ethics, CSCS card and Training and 2 weeks work experience on site. Over 50 placements on our paid Apprenticeship Programme; Apprentices will be placed with one of our

contractors above and will be paid £100 a week gaining a Level 2 BTEC in Maintenance Operations. Continued support and management including full PPE, support with travel and support onto sustained

employment after their apprenticeship.

Agenda Item 6Page 31

Rosehill Court

London SM4 6JT

Layout and Design Working in partnership with London Borough of Sutton we have identified the empty units at Rosehill Court as a potential venue for a stand-alone Building Lives academy in Sutton. After initial viewings we feel the building is in a great location for an academy and would attract a wide range of unemployed residents from the borough allowing us to deliver a full programme in the borough with 50 apprenticeship placements each year. In order to transform these units into an academy we require premises of 4,000 sq ft to accommodate our training areas, classroom and staff offices. We would therefore require the use of units 5-6 and 8-12. As we require a large open space for the construction element of our training we will need to remove 1 loadbearing wall (see layout sketches below) as part of the renovations.

Loadbearing wall to

be removed to allow

for delivery of Multi-

skills.

Staff area to

accommodate

college and building

lives staff and private

interview areas.

Kitchen and lounge

area for students and

staff. Apprentices are

provided with

breakfast while they

are on the

programme.

Store areas for safe

storage of tools,

materials and

student records.

Agenda Item 6 Page 32

Funding, Costs & Timescales

In order to go ahead with the expanision plans Buidling Lives requires capital funding support from the council to transform Rosehill court into a fully functional Building Lives academy. Due to the nature of the works needed (structual) we have had initial strutural surveyors reports which suggest the length of the load-bearing wall can be retained to form piers maximising the open lengths between in to order to create the open plan space we require. This option would be the less cost and labour intensive option and we have based initial costings on this (see table). If granted these funds we would proceed to instruct our strutual surveyors to do further inspections to asertain further details of this option. Once we secure the funds to convert the building then we will require a lease for 10 years with a break clause at 5 years and rent to be charged at a peppercorn rate. All on-going and maintenance costs during the full length of the lease will be covered by Building Lives. Initial estimates suggest that these works will take 2-3 months to complete. However recruitment can start prior to this so apprentices are ready to start in the acdemy as soon as it is open. We will launch the academy and official partnership at an event held at the academy 3 months into its delivery. We hope a senior member of the council will be the spokesperson at this event and we will invite regional and national press to promote how the academy is supporting the local unemployed. At our Hackney academy Ken Livingstone and Tommy Walsh launched the academy which generated press in the London Evening Standard and London Tonight. We have also been lucky enough to have Boris Johnson launch our academy in Camden.

The academy will be branded with Building Lives, The

London Borough of Sutton and Sutton Housing

Partnership logo to highlight our partnership.

ROSEHILL COURT - BUDGET

Items Item costs

MATERIALS

Timber / plaster etc for bays £1,500.00

Paint £500.00

Floor covering to delivery room £1,200.00

Skips £600.00

Fixtures and fittings £500.00

Benches £4,000.00

£8,300.00

LABOUR

Site supervisor £6,000.00

Apprentices 120 x 4 x 6 £4,660.08

£10,660.08

STRUCTURAL WORKS

Steel works £8,555.00

Enabling work £12,000.00

Additional demolition £1,500.00

Engineers work £600.00

Engineers work £900.00

£23,555.00

ELECTRICS & HEATING

Electrical works £7,000.00

Heating £1,000.00

BT broadband £250.00

£8,250.00

SECURITY & HEALTH AND SAFETY

CCTV system £4,000.00

Fire alarm £2,000.00

Fire extinguishers etc £300.00

Welfare facilities £400.00

£6,700.00

CLASSROOM EQUIPMENT

Smart board £2,000.00

Chairs, tables etc £3,500.00

Signage £2,000.00

Tools £5,500.00

PC £4,500.00

Printer £1,500.00

£19,000.00

Total (Exclusive of VAT) £76,465.08

VAT 20% £15,293.02

Total (Inclusive of VAT) £91,758.10

Agenda Item 6Page 33

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

Engagement & Support 5-Day Taster BTEC Level 1 in Construction

NVQ Level 2 in Multi-skills Maintenance Operations: Apprenticeship

Continuous Support and Guidance

Personalised to apprentices needs,

including a literacy & numeracy

assessment, assess your

experience, abilities, talents and

interests plus previous

qualifications.

Half a day

An introduction to a minimum of 2

trades which could include

plumbing, tiling, carpentry and

painting and decorating; during

this course you will gain a BTEC

entry level into construction.

1 week (5 days)

Certified BTEC level 1 or City &

Guilds course, which includes

further development of trade skills

and training for the health and

safety CSCS test and CSCS Card:

painting and decorating

carpentry skills

plumbing skills

tiling skills

2 days p/w for 10 weeks

Accredited NVQ level 2 Paid

Apprenticeship in multi-skills

(maintenance operations), which

includes: carpentry, roofwork,

plumbing, painting & decorating, tiling,

plastering and brickwork, plus level 2 in

literacy and numeracy. You will get

plenty of work experience with a range

of sub/contractors, within various

construction environments:- from new

build to reactive maintenance, putting

your new skills into practice. And giving

you access to many potential

employers of the future. You will get on

going personalised mentoring support.

37.5 hours p/w for 16 months

Support and guidance is provided

after apprenticeship completion, to

ensure every apprentice is given

the best opportunity to attain and

remain in sustainable employment

for at least 6 months afterwards.

By this stage you will have been in

employment for almost two years

well on your new path to a brighter

future.

On-going for at least 6 months

Agenda Ite

m 6

Pa

ge 3

4

RECRUITMENT

We recruit far and wide to make sure we give everyone an opportunity to work out whether construction is for them. Targeting all audiences: from schools & college leavers, local community groups, canvassing council estates, Job Centres and using social media, we ensure no stone is unturned when it comes to sourcing the right candidates for the industry. We also target normally know how to get into the business and we are encouraging more and more women into construction.

All Building Lives Tutors and Assessors have years of site construction experience as well as the relevant qualifications required to teach accredited training.

Tutors are CRB checked and have child safeguarding accreditation.

Our Apprentice Officers, support and guide our apprentices from start to finish and only work with a maximum of 25 apprentices each.

Our tutors and Apprentices Officers are fantastic at engaging people, building their confidence, encouraging, mentoring and teaching new skills in a fully kitted out environment.

Risk assessments are in place for all apprentices.

All Building Lives Academies are insured to cover staff, all learners and apprentices.

Building Lives apprentices are covered by our employee insurance when they are out on site.

SUPPORT AND MONITORING 85% off our apprentices complete their apprenticeship; we are passionate about getting people through their apprenticeship and into sustainable employment. Throughout their time with us apprentices are provided with mentoring and holistic support by their dedicated Apprenticeship Officer. We carefully recruit all of our Apprenticeship Officers as they are crucial to each academies success. Apprentices have various issues they face during their time with us and our Apprenticeship Officers are there to support them with these issues such as; housing, benefit and debt and domestic violence. In addition to this mentoring support we also have added little extras to make our programme unique. For instance we provide breakfast at each of our academies and will pay

sponsored by Travis Perkins so that each month we can award nominated apprentices with a brand new tool box to commend those apprentices who are really going the extra mile. Tracking apprentice progression and the social impact off our

programme is really important to us. Each academy has tracking systems to monitor an apprentice during their time with us which includes measuring distance travelled. We utilise social impact star plans at each stage of the programme to collect information on each apprentice, this not only allows us to see if an apprentice needs extra help but also to see how affective our programme is. We also record all key data on apprentices such as age, location, ethnicity ect. Each academy has a specific steering group made up of key partners and stakeholders to discuss statistics on each academy, apprentice progress and any risks/issues. Alongside this we have an active Apprentice Forum which is made up of 2 nominated apprentices from each academy who are elected to represent apprentice views. Building Lives senior managers meet monthly with this group so they can feedback their ideas and we can see if what we are doing is working on the front line.

Agenda Item 6Page 35

Building Lives www.buildinglives.uk.com Page 8 of 10

OUR CURRENT DELIVERY SITES

Building Lives Training Academies are located throughout London and all offer:

- Fully equipped workshop including workbenches, bays, tools and materials - CSCS computer training suites - Fully functional classrooms All academies deliver the following placements: Taster Courses: 100+ places Level 1 (Pre Apprenticeship Training): 70+ Places Level 2 (Paid Apprenticeship NVQ L2): 50 Places

CAMDEN BUILDING LIVES TRAINING ACADEMY

Arlington House

220 Arlington Road

London NW1 7HE

HACKNEY BUILDING LIVES TRAINING ACADEMY

Summit Estate

Portland Avenue

Stamford Hill

London N16 6EX

SUTTON BUILDING LIVES TRAINING ACADEMY

The Power Centre

Carshalton College

Nightingale Road

Carshalton

Surrey SM5 2EJ

TOWER HAMLETS BUILDING LIVES TRAINING ACADEMY

Tudor Lodge

95 Bromley High St

London

E3 3DQ

SOUTHWARK BUILDING LIVES TRAINING ACADEMY

The Employment Academy

29 Peckham Road Southwark London SE5 8UA

Our existing Academy at Southwark works with school children aged 14-16. By the end of 2013 we would have

established another Southwark Academy that offers paid apprenticeships to over 16s.

Over the next two years Building Lives will open new academies in the following areas:

Lewisham Greenwich Haringey Southwark Croydon Barking and Dagenham

Agenda Item 6 Page 36

Building Lives www.buildinglives.uk.com Page 9 of 10

WHAT OTHERS SAY ABOUT US Councils, Tenants & Social Landlords

was admirable and I wish them all every success in

their future

Cllr Patricia Callaghan, Deputy Leader, London

Borough of Camden

number of employment opportunities for the unemployed and disadvantaged residents of

Jonathan Oxlade, Head of Asset Management, Hackney Homes

sustainable careers. Steve Rawlings came to me with this proposal a year ago, now his vision for Sutton has become a reality. We are proud to be

Andrew Taylor, CEO Sutton Housing Partnership

carried out by Building Lives apprentices on the Community Halls. The works undertaken by the apprentices can only be described as excellent. The skill, dedication and commitment afforded to the works was beyond our expectations. It goes beyond saying that the apprentices involved in these works

Mr. T. Wiggett, Chair of the Gospel Oak District Management Committee

Contractors &

Subcontractors -apprenticeship training and

on-going support is so impressive our

Building Lives apprentices. We look

forward to working in partnership with

Building Lives across many more of

our London

Bruce Benson, Director, Mulalley

development tool for our own staff. We

were so impressed with the hard work

and commitment of our apprentices that when their apprenticeships ended we offered them all a permanent

Kate Rogers, R. Bensons Property Maintenance

Agenda Item 6Page 37

Building Lives www.buildinglives.uk.com Page 10 of 10

experiences and expertise with

people who are genuinely

interested, willing to learn, work

hard, and have everything to gain.

More small businesses should take

Neil O'Donnell, Director,

Cavendish Construction

be as hardworking and

Michael Senior, Site Manager,

Skill Crown Homes

Apprentices

Before Building Lives I was unemployed for 4 years. I had always wanted

everything about Building Lives and have already recommended it to

Maxine, 42

work. I am reliable, hardworking, willing to learn, but after sending out

100s of CVs and being turned away after countless job interviews due to

lack of work experience, I was beginning to lose hope. Building Lives has

literally changed my life. Now I am getting real work experience, getting

Kane, 20

Teswane, 19

Agenda Item 6 Page 38