Training hub at Kirkstall Forge development creates £10m worth of benefits for the local area

Research has been conducted into the Forging Futures Campus, established in 2017, as a hub for providing new skills as well as an employment initiative programme aimed at helping young people from all backgrounds across Yorkshire to develop the skills they need to progress a career.

The Forging Futures Campus is at the £400m Kirkstall Forge development in Leeds being led by developer CEG. It will eventually deliver 400,000 sq ft of commercial and community space, more than 1,000 new homes along with retail, leisure and other facilities.

The latest research into the success of the Forging Futures Campus has revealed that in the first two years: more than £10m in social value has been delivered which has been calculated by reviewing the social, economic and environmental outcomes created for local communities and the wider region. That includes the Campus’ ability to help those out of work and education to find pathways into new apprenticeships and training; more than 450 participants have benefited from the curriculum delivery, site visits, workplace engagement, CV workshops and mock interviews in partnership with Leeds schools, colleges and universities; more than 116 individuals have graduated from the training initiative for 16 – 24 year olds, with 45 getting new jobs and 54 going on to further training, education and apprenticeships.

In addition CEG’s partnership with Skill Mill at Kirkstall Forge has offered site experience, support and funding to young ex-offenders helping them gain training and on-site experience. Since 2016, 32 have graduated, delivering an estimated saving of £2.25m to the public purse from reduced repeat offending with 50 per cent going into training, apprenticeships and jobs.

Case Study

Sean O Toole came to the Forging Future Campus in 2018. Two years on, he is doing an apprenticeship and is employed at Bellingham IT in Leeds.

He said: "When I was first introduced to the course, I didn't really have a vision of what I wanted to do. This course has given me the opportunity to meet some of the most inspirational and hardworking people I’ve ever met. Throughout the course, I became more confident in myself as a person and improved how I work with others. As a result, I am now working as an IT apprentice at an incredible company filled with caring and passionate people. I could not have been given a greater gift."

Project Management company, Pierre Angulaire, manages the Forging Futures Campus on behalf of CEG. Howard Metcalf at Pierre Angulaire said: “The impact we’re seeing already in terms of social value as a result of the programmes that are available for young people at Kirkstall Forge is clearly impressive. What’s also key to measuring the value is gaining the feedback from the individuals who have been through the course, both directly and through their family and friends. We’re not just generating a financial benefit, but creating life changing, long-term opportunities for young people in our region.”

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