North Wales Housing (NWH) has welcomed two new starters on a paid work placement for 4 months. The opportunity is part of Academi Adra’s initiative across Gwynedd to help people back into work.
Dylan Hughes and Miguel Correia have been successful in securing the training opportunity after signing up for a Grounds Maintenance Course with Academi Adra. Academi Adra is an employment & skills initiative set up by Adra Housing Association, and for this course they worked in partnership with Mon CF, Gwaith Gwynedd, Business Wales and NWH.
Dylan and Miguel have both completed an initial weeklong course at Ty
Gwyrddfai in Penygroes, which included a week of nationally recognised Lantra accredited training such as brush cutter and trimmers & basic tree surveying, along with emergency first aid and forestry.
They also took part in a Business Wales Self-Employment Workshop and a Gwaith Gwynedd Employability Skills Workshop.
Dylan and Miguel have already spent a week with the NWH Rakes and Ladders’ team before applying for the longer paid work placement.
After securing their paid placements with NWH, which provides over 3000 homes for residents across north Wales, they undertook another Lantra accredited course for ride on and pedestrian mowers, which will help them during their placement and beyond.
Dylan and Miguel’s pay and training is funded by Academi Adra.
39-year-old Dylan is an Adra tenant and lives in Caernarfon and 29-year-old Miguel lives in Bangor. Both were receiving support from Gwaith Gwynedd to find work when their mentors told them about the Grounds Maintenance course, and they decided to give it a go.
NWH Communities and Facilities Services Manager, Chris Braithwaite said:
“We are pleased to be working with our Adra colleagues to offer practical work experience for our two successful applicants.
“Dylan and Miguel have fitted in well to the Rakes and Ladders team here and we look forward to seeing them develop their skills with us over the summer.”
Ceri Ellis-Jackson, Academi Adra’s Programme Lead said:
“We are very grateful to NWH for providing two, four-month work placements with its wonderful Rakes and Ladders Team.
“Our projects wouldn’t work without our partner housing associations giving people a chance!
“The courses we provide targets those who are furthest away from the job market and who face significant barriers to employment e.g. mental health, homelessness, care leavers, ex-offenders etc.
“The individuals who are supported through Academi Adra are often those who would not succeed through the traditional recruitment process due to lack of experience, knowledge, or skills in the field of work that interests them.
“We wish Dylan and Miguel all the success as they begin their careers in grounds maintenance.”
