Free construction sessions have been offered to Stevenage residents who are looking for work.

Stevenage Borough Council have teamed up with Job Centre Plus and John Laing Training to offer free construction training sessions to people on income support, employment and support allowance or job seekers allowance.

People were invited to try out their skills and speak to skilled trades’ people in the construction industry.

They can then sign up for a free half day taster session in painting and decorating, plastering and tiling.

Following this trainees may be selected for a free place on a three week construction skills course, giving 30 residents the chance to gain their Level 1 BTEC in Maintenance Skills and CSCS card.

Last year’s project 22 people successfully passed their CSCS test which allows them to work on a building site and 14 of those also achieved a BTEC level 1 certificate in Basic Construction.