Jobs joy for Runcorn duo
Two Runcorn residents are celebrating after landing jobs with the Mersey Gateway Project.
Runcorn residents David Glover (L) and Danny Gallagher (R) have started new jobs with the Mersey Gateway Project
Danny Gallagher, of Hallwood Park, and David Glover of Palacefields, have started work with Merseylink after completing the construction consortium’s pre-employment training course.
The pair, who enrolled on the six week course in the summer, spent time improving their workplace skills and learning vital lessons geared at preparing them for work on a construction project.
This involved spending a week on site with Merseylink gaining valuable work experience with the project’s specialist teams. They were also given the opportunity to achieve their Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card, a requirement for all construction workers.
When their training finished, Danny and David were offered interviews with Merseylink and went on to secure full-time positions as general construction operatives.
They are now a key part of the team building Halton’s new bridge and road project. David has joined as a store man, while Danny is a member of the construction team working on the central cofferdam.
Danny’s role is varied and involves everything from unloading equipment and fixing crane loads to pumping water out of the cofferdam to keep it dry.
He said: “I’m really enjoying the job so far, every day is different. It’s great to be working on something so iconic that will be here for a long time to come.”
David, who is based at Wigg Island, manages stock and site equipment, making sure that the teams have everything they need.
He said: “I’ve worked in construction all my life so when I found out about the Mersey Gateway I knew I wanted to work on it. I gave the course 100 percent and got a lot out of it. I’m glad to have joined the project at this stage, when all the construction is happening. I’m loving every second.”
The pre-employment programme was developed by Merseylink and Halton Employment Partnership and is accredited by Halton Borough Council.
It is designed to provide local people with access to work-based training opportunities in areas such as general construction, traffic management and business administration.
To date, Merseylink has promoted seven pre-employment courses, engaging with 79 local people. Of those, 42 went on to complete the course and 16 have been recruited to work on the project.
Neil Wilcock, Employment and Skills Coordinator at Merseylink, said:
“David and Danny are the latest Halton residents to join us as part of our ongoing commitment to employ local people. They both successfully completed our pre-employment construction programme, and, as a result of their dedication and hard work, were offered full-time positions on the project. They have settled in really well and are both enjoying their new roles.”
Councillor Rob Polhill, Leader of Halton Borough Council and Chair of the Mersey Gateway Crossings Board, said:
“Creating employment and skills opportunities for local people has always been an important aim of the Mersey Gateway Project and it is fantastic that so many local residents have already completed Merseylink’s pre-employment courses.
He added: “I hope even more residents in the borough look to the success of local residents such as David and Danny as an inspiration, and get involved with the excellent training the project has to offer.”
Merseylink made a commitment to run four pre-employment training courses each year from 2014 until the bridge is completed in 2017. Two further training courses in general construction will take place during 2015/16.
For more information about the pre-employment training programme, email opportunities@merseylink.com.