The Passion Project: the NFDC helping young people into work

The Passion Project, established in 2013 to help get young people into paid employment, was the springboard to getting 9 young people into the Demolition Industry courtesy of a partnership between the National Federation of Demolition Contractors, the Institute of Demolition Engineers and the Erith Group.

Of the original 18 applications, 9 young men were selected to join the programme, which entailed an intensive 2-day training course on 14th and 15th April 2016 in Demolition Awareness and Asbestos Awareness set at one of Erith’s City of London sites. With the addition of a successful Touchscreen Test all 9 candidates achieved 1st level CCDO Cards, enabling them to work safely on demolition sites.

The candidates themselves, from across inner and outer London, range from 18-24 years of age, with the majority between 19 and 21. Often from difficult backgrounds, these young people now have a real chance of getting into paid employment. Starting this week, the candidates will start work at Erith’s on a 3 month paid probation, after which those that can prove themselves will have a permanent job in the industry with a 2 year NFDC Apprenticeship.

This round of candidates, funded by the IDE and certified by the NFDC, are the first of what is hoped to be a successful stream of well needed candidates into the Demolition Industry, with the next round being sponsored directly by the NFDC.