DU Construction Ltd – Anglesey’s largest construction company – which is expanding with Welsh Government support has already created five new apprenticeships and offered full time jobs to two young men on the Jobs Growth Wales scheme.
Director Mark Blackwell, who started the business in 1992 said; “I am delighted to be able to offer young people on Anglesey an opportunity to learn a trade and become a valued member of the company.
“Business is really taking off now after the recession and we have seen turnover increase year on year so it’s a great time to take on apprentices and train them up in the skills we need.
“A number of people we have now taken on as apprentices have had work experience with us, some had been out of work for some time and all have excelled during their time with us, so it’s good to be able to provide them with permanent positions and training opportunities.”
The £470,000 expansion by DU Construction – backed by £210,000 from the Wales Economic Growth Fund – is set to create twenty new jobs within Anglesey Enterprise Zone and includes new offices on Penrhos Industrial Estate, Holyhead, substantial storage facilities, a new joinery workshop and the purchase of new plant and equipment.
Economy Minister Edwina Hart said: “The Wales Economic Growth Fund was set up to help dynamic businesses in Wales to expand and create jobs and its great news to hear that DU Construction is already doing just that. I am particularly pleased to hear they have already created a number of apprenticeships and job opportunities in one of our key sectors.”
The new appointments include: Ryan Gibbs, 24, from Holyhead, who has moved over from general labouring to take up an apprenticeship in joinery.
Dale Jones, 22, from Holyhead, who was taken on earlier this year and is now on a full time joinery apprentice course.
Dean Hatfield and Mathew Doutch, both seventeen year olds from Holyhead – who had both been on a one day a week work experience trial are now on full time apprenticeships in plastering.
Mark Blackwell’s son Kieran, 17, a school leaver, has joined a Civil engineering apprenticeship day release scheme and will gain a Btec level 3 certificate on completion
Luke Flemming , 21 and Tom Roberts ,19, from Holyhead and who were unemployed, have been taken on full time at DU Construction through the Jobs Growth Wales project as site labourers
The company is also in the process of taking on an additional two more Jobs Growth Wales staff as site labours for work underway in Cemaes Bay and Amlwch for Ynys Mon County Council on the refurbishment of 34 council owned properties .
Latest figures from Jobs Growth Wales show that 15,625 job opportunities have been created, and 12,298 vacancies filled since its launch in April 2012.
The £470,000 investment by DU Construction – backed by £210,000 from the Wales Economic Growth Fund, is set to create twenty new jobs within Anglesey Enterprise Zone and includes new offices on Penrhos Industrial Estate, Holyhead, substantial storage facilities, a new joinery workshop and the purchase of new plant and equipment.
Mr Blackwell said work is progressing well, the steel frame is now in place and cladding and blockwork is underway.