The Accent Group is a community investment business that works across health, housing, education and regeneration. It set up Accent Community Partnerships to deliver community regeneration projects, helping disadvantaged communities to help themselves through training, employment and capacity building.
The Partnerships’ range of training and support programmes are
enabling local people from ethnic minority and disadvantaged
communities to meet the needs of local employers.
In 2002 Accent realised that although a significant amount of money was being spent on regeneration in Bradford, the companies and contractors doing the work were being brought in from outside the area. Despite Bradford having one of the highest unemployment rates in the country, the city’s workforce lacked the necessary construction, management and administration skills.
To tackle this problem, Accent joined forces with the council, local college, employers and funders to help local people develop the skills needed to meet local demands. Its Youthbuild programme, for example, helps young people from ethnic minority groups into careers in construction, while the Women into Construction and Finance & Business programmes are tailored to the needs of women, especially those from ethnic minorities.
Participants are given a mentor who looks after them from the beginning of the course, through their training and into the first year in employment. As well as learning the skills needed for a career in construction, participants also acquire valuable communication, team working and time management skills.
Topics associated with this project
Community engagement, Education, Housing, Partnership working, Training