Nationwide Pedal Power

Hewden, has partnered up with the UK’s leading sustainable transport charity, Sustrans. The project aims to help 182 unemployed young people into work, whilst giving them the opportunity to gain practical plant operator skills.

The £3 million plus project, run by Sustrans, will revitalise the National Cycle Network using Hewden plant, including excavators, dumpers and rollers across 13 locations in England.

Instructors from specialist training companies; Mentor and Eco Training will be educating the teams of previously unemployed adults (who are between 18 and 24) in the safe use of plant equipment. Once training is complete, the trainees and Hewden plant will begin work on the project.

All plant and site equipment for the project is being supplied by Hewden through its national branch network, as Hewden’s customer service manager, Brian Jones commented: "With 182 trainees operating at 13 sites across the UK, making sure the right equipment and resources are available is crucial to the success of the project.

"When Sustrans first approached us, it had three key requirements. Firstly, it wanted to be sure that modern plant equipment would be supplied, typical of the machinery found on a construction site to ensure that the trainees would be confident using a range of equipment.

"The second was the provision of site-based training and welfare facilities, especially important where sites are in remote areas. Finally, Sustrans wanted to emphasise to the trainees that they were joining a serious programme supported by an industry leader and the reputation of Hewden proved to be a valuable asset."

Commenting on the important opportunity the programme was giving him, dad of one, Paul Nelson, aged 24, from Halton Moor, Leeds, said: "I’d been out of work for a year and training isn’t available so it’s been really hard trying to support my young boy. But now I can get some qualifications behind me and look towards getting a gardening or landscaping job.

"We’ve met some genuinely friendly people walking and cycling along the paths, so it’ll be really satisfying to improve the area for them."

Thomas Last, aged 18, from Middleton, Leeds, already has a job lined up providing he can train to use dumpers and mini diggers.

He added: "I’ve only found casual work since I left school but this experience will give me the experience I need. It makes you feel better to look at the work you’ve done and think ‘somebody can enjoy this’, whether they’re cycling up and down or walking their dog."

Commenting on the project and the involvement of Hewden, Simon Talbot-Ponsonby, Sustrans future jobs fund manager, said: "By teaming up with Hewden we have been able to role this programme out across our sites in England, a challenge that is by no means easy. Having now seen the programme in action I know we have made the right partner choice in Hewden.

"It is also moving how enthusiastic all the trainees are about having a real job. Some were really emotional when they were taken on, and the hardest thing we have had to do was turn away so many other good people who also needed a chance to get back into work."

During the Summer, Hewden plant and accommodation will be delivered to sites, with customer service and engineering support ready to ensure that the trainees get the most out of the time they have on the programme.

Commenting on its involvement in the project, Steve Parfitt, Mentor's product manager said: "Mentor is proud to be working closely with Hewden and Sustrans to ensure that the individuals involved in this project receive industry-recognised operator training on mobile plant in accordance with HSE standards.

"The training will teach them to use the equipment safely, efficiently and economically. It will also be a valuable addition to their skills portfolio and widen their future employment opportunities"

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