
Academi Adra growth plan given the green light
Members of our Board have approved a plan to grow Academi Adra over the next five years, building on the success of the programme over recent years.
It was originally set up in February 2021 to provide volunteering opportunities, but developed to provide training and job opportunities for tenants and local people.
The focus has mostly been on developing and delivering construction- based courses, with other courses developed around supporting people, as well as customer services and administration skills.
The latest courses has focussed on developing skills in the grounds maintenance industry, with the first course delivered last September.
To date:
- 164 individuals have been supported with vocational training
- 24 courses delivered
- We have worked with over 30 partner organisations/ contractors
- 36 people supported with paid work placements
- 33 people have found employment or an apprenticeship
- 380 people registered to take part in courses.
Ceri Ellis-Jackson, the Programme Lead, said: “We are really proud of our achievements to date in supporting individuals, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds to enhance their job prospects and gain confidence. We have seen at first hand the impact of Academi Adra, with 15 people employed within our company since 2021 and 54% of those who completed paid work placements through the Shared Prosperity Fund have gone into other jobs or apprenticeships.
“That in turn not only helps the individual, but also the local economy and supports local businesses and services”.
Over the next five years, Academi Adra will work to support the target of supporting 700 tenants and local people to develop skills; will focus on delivering vocational training in sectors where we know there is demand and will work closely with partners and interested groups to provide high quality work experience.