TEENAGERS are getting "a job for life and learning the tools of trade" on a large building project in Basildon, according to the borough's council leader.

Young people working at the site say they feel "ahead" of their friends while being trained on the Chapelgate development off Laindon Link, which includes the construction of new Basildon Council homes and properties for private sale.

The new training scheme is part of the council's 'Construction Academy,' which will see youngsters gain more experience and skills than in a classroom, according to Gavin Callaghan, the council's Labour leader. 

Basildon Council is working with Hill Group, Sempra Homes, Site Ready Solutions and GSK on the training scheme and hopes to roll it out on other sites in the borough.

Taylor Mellon, 18, from Basildon, who is taking part in the scheme said: "This is my first post-school step, it's more about the experience and progressing, going on to start a career for myself in brick laying. I want to work my way up and do the best I can. I think it's amazing, it's a good opportunity and great experience.

"The biggest thing I've learnt is communication. It helps being on a building site, 100 per cent, you have got the opportunity to see everything going on and take it all in. I feel I am ahead of friends who aren't doing this." 

Cllr Callaghan added: "They are hopefully going to learn a trade, get a job for life, earn money, they are going to be able to get on the property ladder and start a family.

"If you were a 16-year-old in Basildon in 1964, chances are you were alright, you were going to go to Fords, Leonardo, one of those firms, have a job for life and be able to buy a house.

"If you're a 16-year-old kid in Basildon today, in 2025, I am not sure that's the same, not sure there's the same stability over the next 20 or 30 years, in terms of jobs, housing, and basics for family life. 

"We need to invest in that, I am hopeful the trainees coming through this site now are going to learn stuff so they will be on site for the next 20, 30 years.

"We are told they will learn more by being on a site than they would in a classroom; they will learn how to do the job in the elements and weather, with people of all ages, gaining all the experience and expertise you don't get in a classroom.

"It's practical delivery of skills training in a way we think should be rolled out at building sites across the borough."