Alpha is supporting a motivated graduate from Afghanistan to gain construction skills on its £18.5 million extra care development site on the Wirral, as well as working alongside partners to educate local school children to learn about building techniques.

Continuous training will be provided for local Wirral and Liverpool Inner City Region residents through Nobody Left Behind, a training company based in Birkenhead which specialises in construction training and will offer green skills training throughout the course of the scheme build.

With Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s vision that Britain will ‘value the hard hat as much as the graduation cap,’ enabling 14-year-olds to gain early access to technical education, skills training, work experience and connections with employers, Alpha and construction partner Vistry are committed to adding social value and creating educational opportunities across the housing provider’s communities in the North of England.                                                           
Abdul Arian Basir moved from Afghanistan to Liverpool to complete a master’s degree and to build a career in the UK construction industry. To improve his employment prospects, Abdul completed Construction Skills Certification Scheme card training and a Groundworks and Street Works course through Complete Skills Solutions.

During his work experience placement with the Vistry site team and J & P Civil Engineering, Abdul shared his story about relocating to the UK, gaining qualifications, volunteering and the importance of employer support, representing Vistry at an English for Speakers of Other Languages Conference in Ellesmere Port which was attended by more than 100 learners.

The structured pathway to employment supported by Vistry’s Social Value and Partnerships team, introduced Abdul to work experience and mentoring opportunities on the construction site for Alpha’s largest extra care development at Driftwood Gardens in Moreton.

Pupils from Eastway Primary School’s Council also learnt about modern methods of construction at Driftwood Gardens, joining Alpha Board members and partners from Wirral Council to mark the breaking of new ground to construct the steel frame and the laying of the first bricks at the development.

Abdul, who is now an Assistant Site Manager for J & P Civil Engineering, said: “I can’t thank Alpha Living, Complete Skills Solutions, J & P Civil Engineering, Vistry and further partners enough, enabling me to gain on the job skills training. I’ve secured sustainable employment in construction by gaining UK-recognised qualifications and site experience. The mentoring I’ve had has built my confidence and long-term career prospects.”

Sarah Houghton-Grimshaw, Director of Operations - Alpha, added: “Abdul’s inspirational journey shows the positive impact of collaboration between community partners, creating partnerships with strong social value programmes. With the right training, mentoring and work experience, Abdul has been able to overcome barriers to entering the UK’s construction industry. Abdul’s story demonstrates how investing in people can deliver lasting benefits for individuals, employers and our communities."

“We are also proud to have showcased our Driftwood Gardens development to local Primary School pupils, supporting our next generation to learn about the methods of construction used to build the high-quality housing we need.”

Alpha's development is delivering 80 much-needed affordable homes on Pasture Road in Moreton as part of an innovative regeneration partnership. The scheme will provide high quality, affordable one and two-bed apartments for over 55s and will be ready for occupation by the Summer of next year. 

Alpha is developing the site alongside Vistry - Merseyside & Cheshire West, including funding from Homes England and the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.

The Driftwood Gardens scheme has been designed by architects Eden Design to HAPPI dementia friendly standards, with open plan living, spacious communal areas with facilities including assisted bathrooms and laundry, as well as a resource where residents can enjoy a hot drink and socialise together. The development features large south facing gardens, with access to outdoor spaces and bedrooms with Jack and Jill ensuite bathrooms.