Have you noticed the improvements to our area recently?
We have a team of young men working to improve the look of Ancoats and some parts of Miles Platting, they are employed on a New Deal Scheme they got on the scheme through their local job centre.

Our reporters went to a site where a couple of the lads were working to find out more.

Louis told us
“One of the things the team are doing is working on neglected sites and derelict properties, some people use these sites for dealing drugs, fly tipping and other anti-social activities. Sites like this one at the Church of the Apostles, people have been going past thinking ‘I wish someone would do something about that’ The church has a job to find the resources to do it, this scheme is a completely new additional resource to the area and these lads are like a breath of fresh air ”.
They work eight hours a day five days a week.

Sean told us “I’ve been on the scheme for four months and I’m enjoying working outdoors it’s good getting out and doing something useful. We go to college one day a week for training and we can get an NVQ (National Vocational Qualification) Level Two at the end of it, or even Level Three if we’re smart enough. We can even take driving lessons to help us get our driving licence if that’s what we choose to do! ”
Stephen told us “We will be on the scheme for one year, and hopefully if we get our qualifications we stand a better chance of getting a job, the things we learn on this scheme can open all sorts of doors for us.”
We asked what were the chances of getting other employment.

George the foreman said “Being on this scheme teaches the lads so much, it’s a passport to other horticultural work, they are a good set of lads and are willing to work.”

Statistically, of the number completing the course, the pass rate is 80 percent and the rate of those getting regular employment is approximately 70 percent, so the odds of getting full time regular employment are vastly improved.

Louis told us “The thing is, East Manchester is now reaching a stage where there will be lots of jobs on offer, jobs relating to the environment and work around the Commonwealth Games site and the wider East Manchester area. The course will put the lads in a very good position to look for other jobs in the area. After a year’s work they will have their qualifications but more importantly they will have greater personal skills, like communicating with local residents, communicating with people from local magazines or dealing with Council Departments. Those are useful skills to go with their qualifications.”

Asked about the environmental conditions they were working in and what kinds of problems they encounter, the unanimous reply was;

“NEEDLES! We find loads of hypodermic syringes all over the place, we even find them in gardens, discarded by unthinking morons, and the danger isn’t only to people like us working amongst it, we have protective clothing, gloves and boots, but kids play in these neglected areas and they don’t always know the dangers of handling them.”

Asked about ongoing monitoring of the areas already landscaped , we were told that periodic visits will be made to make sure that the areas are kept clear of rubbish and any maintenance required will be attended to.

Future work in the pipeline for the group lies around the Beehive Mill in Jersey Street and the Cardroom Estate other eyesores warranting attention have been pointed out by residents, so it seems that there is plenty of scope for ensuing groups of young men on the New Deal Scheme.