Ken Livingstone launches construction training academy in Stamford Hill

Giving a hand: Ken Livingstone at the opening of the Building Lives Training Academy in Stamford Hill

Ken Livingstone helped to launch the new Hackney Building Lives Training Academy in the heart of the Summit Estate, Stamford Hill.

In partnership with Hackney Homes, Building Lives has transformed a once-dilapidated and unloved community centre into a multi-skilled construction training academy that was officially opened last month.

The former London mayor marked the occasion on Wednesday 17 April, along with representatives of all of the organisations involved, by leaving his hand prints in plaster mixed on-site by recent Building Lives graduates.

Whilst unemployment figures published last month show a jump of 70,000 in the three months to February, Building Lives has been quietly bucking the trend by helping 50 people aged 16-65 back into work.

Mr Livingstone explained to the Hackney Citizen why he thinks the formula is working.

He said: “When I was at school in Brixton, skills like metalwork, carpentry and construction were being taught in schools. But our education system seems to have taken a wrong turn– it’s all about the academic. Half of our kids aren’t going to go to university, so they need to have those skills and the confidence.

“So for Steve Rawlings [CEO and founder of Building Lives] to start something like this is brilliant – it’s the sort of chance they should have had at school so thank god he’s doing it.”

From what Mr Livingstone said, the former mayor of London could do with some training in construction himself. “My skill’s really talking, not doing anything – every time I saw a plank it’s a bit wonky,” he said.

Steve Rawlings started off as an apprentice in the East End 40 years ago and says the project’s success lies in its ‘tough love’ approach.

He said: “The apprentices’ managers are their mum and dad – if they don’t turn up on a Monday, we’ll go and get them. If they don’t have the fares we’ll give them the money. We love them, but we’re not afraid to give them a bollocking.”

Mr Rawlings is optimistic about the potential for the initiative to help more people back on the path to gainful employment. “Together we really are building lives. This model works and I’m going to take it to every London borough,” he said.

Teswane, 18, agrees. He said: “Before this I didn’t really know what I wanted to do and I was unemployed for almost a year. Building Lives is kind of a life-saver.”

Tommy Walsh, celebrity builder and lifelong Hackney resident, was also on hand to assist the proceedings. He said: “I’m really pleased to see an academy like this open, giving ordinary local people the opportunity to get into construction.”

Building Lives is a registered social enterprise and Community Interest Company that provides 12 weeks of paid pre-apprentice training to unemployed people from deprived areas and supports them into sustainable construction apprenticeships.

This is the third academy to open within the last nine months. Another three London academies are planned for 2013.