A major new shopping and leisure facility for Plymouth is providing significant opportunities for apprentices and trainees in the construction industry.
Leader of Plymouth City Council Tudor Evans (centre) visited the site of a major new shopping and leisure facility being constructed for the city. He was shown around by (L-R) Matt Ward, Head of Development Projects, Plymouth City Council, Jonathan Banham, ADC Kimberley, Sam Nicholson, Principle Surveyor, Plymouth City Council, Adam Wright, Project Lead and Steve Rosewell, both from Devon Contractors and apprentice Darren Harper-Thomas of Plym Bricklaying.
Work on the Derriford District Centre is at the halfway stage and due to be completed this September. Confirmed tenants include a Marks & Spencer Foodhall, an Aldi supermarket, a Costa Coffee, a gym operated by PureGym, a Pets Corner pet shop and an Oggy Oggy pasty shop.
Developers ADC Kimberley Ltd and main contractors, Exeter-based Devon Contractors revealed the site is helping apprentices in a range of construction industry trades to gain experience on a major building site.
Jonathan Banham, from ADC Kimberley, said: “It is fantastic to see this project delivering, not just for the people of Plymouth who will get a range of vital new facilities in this part of the city, but also for young people who want to follow a career in construction.”
There are currently five or six apprentices on site at any one time, three employed by roofing and cladding contractor Progressive and the others working for bricklaying subcontractor Plym Bricklaying.
Across the build period the developers and their contractors will provide apprentice opportunities for up to 14 people including, in the later stages, those engaged in dry-lining and landscaping.
Leader of Plymouth City Council, Councillor Tudor Evans OBE said: "The developers are really cracking on with the job and it's brilliant to see a site that was once empty so full of workers, especially young people learning new skills.
"This is a hugely important regeneration project for the city and is the last major area of land on the Plymouth International Science and Medical Park to be developed.
"Regeneration plans can take a long time to come to fruition, but this centre is well on its way to being open. I'm thrilled that the Council has played a part in helping to create something of this scale to serve the north of the city."
Darren Harper-Thomas is one of the apprentice bricklayers on the site. The 17-year-old is training with Plym Bricklayers through a course run by the Plymouth-based Greenlight Apprenticeship Centre. He said he had been working on a number of sites and was now pleased to be part of the team at the Plymouth District Centre.
“We’ve been doing some six-inch blockwork on the Aldi supermarket,” he said. “I’ve always wanted a job in construction – it’s proper grafting and you learn a skill. I’m hoping that when I finish my apprenticeship I can get a full-time job with Plym Bricklaying – I love it!”
Emma Hewitt, Skills Lead at Plymouth City Council representing Building Plymouth said: “Investment in developments such as the Derriford District Centre create massive opportunities for construction skills, training, job creation including apprenticeships.
“Working closely with the onsite team at Derriford, we are creating exciting chances for young people to understand careers in construction through opening the site for local school visits, offering work experience placements, delivering careers activities, and also supporting new apprentices to take their first steps into the industry.
“In addition, we are supporting job seekers and career changers including our military service leavers to take advantage of the employment opportunities that such a major construction project generates.”
The Council owns the site and worked with the developers to bring the project to fruition. It is providing work for 20 sub-contacting businesses employing a total of more than 150 tradespeople through the build. The majority are based locally, boosting the Plymouth economy and helping many improve their skills with significant on-the-job training.
Included in the development are 12 electric vehicle charging points along with sustainable transport links to help reduce car use, cycle lanes and the provision of easy pedestrian access to bus stops.
The centre is near to a major new housing development and some of Plymouth’s biggest employers, including Derriford Hospital and the Land Registry. The site had remained derelict for over 20 years and unused, except as a Covid test centre until the redevelopment project began.