One of Swansea's most high-profile regeneration schemes is benefiting from a scheme that boosts the work chances of people around the city.
Hacer Developments – the business behind the city centre's towering new ultra-green Biophilic Living building – collaborated with Swansea Council's Pathways to Work initiative and now employs Kabir Balogun on a permanent basis.
He loves the part he's playing in the city's council-driven £1bn regeneration programme.
Kabir said:
“I'm delighted that I'm now a small but permanent element of the process that's seeing the city transformed.
“I thank all involved with Pathways to Work and the company that took me on – Hacer Developments – for giving me great hope for the future. Hacer are an inspirational business to work with.”
Kabir joined Pathways to Work in May after graduating from Swansea University at Masters level in engineering and management and then taking temporary work as a labourer.
That work – on the Biophilic project which is rising from Oxford Street's former Woolworth store and is due to open next year- allowed him to make Hacer bosses aware of his specialist academic knowledge.
They agreed to take him on a three-month graduate management trainee programme via Pathways to Work.
Kabir excelled during that time – and the business took him on permanently this summer as an assistant project manager.
He now works with up to 50 people a day on site, mainly overseeing the work of sub-contractors who supply services such as carpentry, plumbing, tiling and electricals.
Kabir said:
“Biophilic Living is a brilliant project that hopefully will be a catalyst for the building of many more eco-friendly structures around the UK.
“It's an exciting time for Swansea city centre, with so much development underway that also includes the Albert Hall, the Palace Theatre building, Y Storfa, 71/72 Kingsway and so much more.
“Hacer is pleased to be playing its part – and I'm grateful to them, welcoming me to their team and offering me permanent employment.
“They encourage innovation and support their staff, and the guidance and mentorship from experienced senior staff has allowed me to discover strengths I didn't know I had.
“I'm committed to learning, developing and playing my part in the future of the business and the areas they work.
“My hope is that in the not-too-distant future I can become a project manager on schemes of similar size.”
Carwyn Davies, Hacer Developments Managing Director said:
“Kabir has fitted seamlessly into our team and this is another example of how closely we're working with Swansea Council.
“We have the same vision – to create a thriving city centre that meets the challenges of modern times through innovation.
“Our scheme will complement everything else that's taking place in the city centre to support local people and encourage business and even more investment.”
Swansea Council's Pathways to Work scheme, funded by the UK Government's UK Shared Prosperity Fund, supports those aged 16 and over who are out of work. It aims to help move them closer to or into work.
A range of organisations help create wide-ranging support to ease routes to skills and towards employment. Methods include training, work trials, volunteering, paid placements and job search support.
Cllr Robert Francis-Davies, the council's Cabinet Member for Investment, Regeneration and Tourism, said:
“It's great to hear of Kabir's success.
“Investing in people and skills is one of the key priorities of the Shared Prosperity Fund, which is why we've put the Pathways to Work employability programme in place.”
Cllr Alyson Pugh, Cabinet Member for Well-being, said:
“Improving as many people's employability and skills is vitally important at a time when our £1bn regeneration of Swansea is on-going to create many thousands of job opportunities for local residents.”
Other recent successes for the Pathways to Work Project include:
- Kasen Key, of Clydach, who excelled during a 13-week paid work placement with the council's community service team – and is now in a full-time role. He said: “Pathways to Work helped me massively and took me from thinking I wasn't going to get a job to having one I enjoy.”
- Andrew Beer, of Gorseinon, was offered full-time work with the council's building services team after a successful placement. He'd previously had a spell out of work. He said: “I can't thank Pathways to Work enough for supporting me back into work.”
- Jihad Abbar, of Townhill, works full-time with the council's building services team after a work placement which gave him new confidence and skills.
- Charlee Matthews, of Penlan, had found it difficult to secure long-term work until she engaged with Pathways to Work. Experiences such as a paid work placement as a plasterer with the council's building services team increased her experience, confidence and skills.
- Sadek Ahmed, of Waun Wen, enjoyed a 13-week paid work placement with the council's community service team, gaining useful new skills and boosting his confidence. He said: “I really enjoyed the placement and am thankful for the help given.”
To learn more about Swansea Council's Pathways to Work scheme and how it can help you or others, email pathwaystowork@swansea.gov.uk or phone 01792 637112.
