Published: Tuesday, 19th December 2017

The course offers young people and residents a solid grounding for careers in construction technology.

The Peri Formwork Project is a partnership between Royal Greenwich and Peri Formwork, alongside London South East Colleges and local developers and contractors.

About the project

The project is designed to give people the chance to move directly onto apprenticeship schemes in using formwork technology.

Formwork is the term used for the process of creating temporary mould into which concrete is poured and made. It is a key component of the construction industry and PERI Formwork is one of the world's largest manufacturers and suppliers of formwork systems.

Councillor Denise Hyland, Leader, Royal Greenwich, attended the launch on Friday 15 December at the Kidbrooke Construction Skills Centre. She was joined by representatives from major players in construction projects in the borough, including Berkeley East & West Thames, Knight Dragon, Morrisroe and Getjar.

A group of prospective candidates took part in a workshop on the construction of formwork and got to ask questions directly to developers involved in the scheme.

Peri Formwork Project

The Peri Formwork Project begins in January 2018 at the Kidbrooke Construction Skills Centre. The six week course offers training in the practical set up of formwork equipment as well as work experience with contractors using formwork technology.

Students can attain CSCS (essential to work on a construction site) and Level 1 Health and Safety cards. They also receive support, job advice and guidance from Royal Greenwich's Greenwich Local Labour and Business (GLLaB) team.

At the end of the six weeks, students will have the opportunity to apply for eight apprenticeships in formwork technology.

Councillor Denise Hyland, Leader of the Royal Borough of Greenwich

"We are committed to working with our developer and builder partners in our Borough to ensure residents, in particularly our young people, can get access to training and job opportunities in the construction industry. This project is particularly exciting as it can launch trainees directly into developing long-term, well paid careers in construction technology."

Robert Lynch, Head of Construction at Greenwich Campus, London South East Colleges

"We have brought together the major players in the industry; the manufacturers, the developers and the contractors, to address skills training for a much needed skills shortage. This is about tailoring the training to what is actually needed by the industry."

James Connell, Engineering Director at Peri Formwork

"There is a real shortage of skills in this industry and we need to address that exactly in ways like this course. We want to support innovation and talent in the UK."

Charlie Duncumb, a candidate

Charlie Duncumb from Plumstead is one of the female potential candidates for the course. Charlie has already had construction experience and is eager to build a career in the sector.

Charlie said: "There is no reason why women can't work in construction but I guess lots of women don't like getting their hands dirty. I love doing it and I really want to learn about formwork. It's the future."