// Toolstation steps forward to support the Volunteer It Yourself scheme
// Toolstation funds the City & Guilds accreditations, skills training, and mentoring of the volunteers
A social enterprise scheme aimed at helping young people learn practical and DIY skills has been boosted by support from Toolstation.
The DIY retailer said it was supporting the Volunteer It Yourself (VIY) initiative, encouraging young people to consider a career in the construction and building industry.
The programme combines DIY and volunteering and challenges young people to help repair and refurbish community facilities while learning vocational skills.
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The move comes against a backdrop of a shortage of workers in the industry.
Toolstation’s first project saw 28 volunteers, aged between 14-24 years old – the majority of whom were disengaged or excluded from mainstream education and training – create a new outdoor social and exercise space at Coventrians Rugby Football Club.
Toolstation funds the City & Guilds accreditations, skills training, and mentoring of the volunteers.
Alongside Toolstation, parent company Travis Perkins also continued their ongoing support for VIY, donating building materials and tools for the project, PPE and other consumables, as part of Travis Perkins’ growing partnership with the social enterprise.
Toolstation said 26 of the volunteers from the group went on to earn Entry Level 3 City & Guilds Accreditation, and four of the young people from the special educational needs provision earned multiple accreditations.
The retailer added that in total, the group spent 420 hours on this project learning hands-on skills and gaining meaningful work experience.
Greg Richardson from Toolstation said: “We are really proud to support the Volunteer It Yourself programme and to help young people learn practical trade and building skills and earn an entry-level qualification.
“The construction sector is facing a shortage of workers and we hope that our support in this initiative will inspire more young people to consider entering the trades.”
with PA Wires
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