EcoWorld London partner with the Borough of Barking & Dagenham to organise career fair

Last week, EcoWorld London held a careers fair at their newest residential development, Barking Wharf. Welcoming over 75 people local to the borough, the day showcased training and professional opportunities in the construction industry, from apprenticeships in electrical, plumbing and brickwork, to positions in administration and site management. EcoWorld London worked in partnership with Midgard and the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham (LBBD) to host the event on the live construction site, which is due to complete in 2021.

Over 75 people from Barking and Dagenham attended the careers fair, at which the council’s Employment Engagement Officers, Job Centre Plus, and Barking Job Shop presented available positions within the companies subcontracted on the development, including  JRL Civils, UK Facades, JRL Dry-lining and ARK M&E. From the event, 8 people have been offered full-time jobs and work placements on the project with many more scheduled for second round interviews.

The event was opened with speeches from Heng Leong Cheong, CEO of EcoWorld London, Cllr Darren Rodwell, Leader of Barking and Dagenham Council and Kevin Keegan, Director of Midgard Ltd. Also present was William Barton, one of the first local residents to be employed on the scheme via LBBD  in conjunction with EcoWorld London and Midgard.

Barking Wharf is set for completion in 2021, by which time the project would have created over 100 new jobs and 15 apprenticships for local people, in addition to holding several career advice and guidance events to further support Barking and Dagenhams’s community. EcoWorld London has also committed to source at least 40% of plant, labour and materials directly from the borough, with an estimated value of over £40m of construction spend locally. To date, EcoWorld London has invested £9.05m into the project and the London Borough of Barking & Dagenham which include the costs for remedial works of the former brownfield site, Section 106 contributions and CIL payments to the council.

Heng Leong Cheong, CEO of EcoWorld London, said, “Having started on-site with this development in January of this year, we are pleased to hold the first careers event at Barking Wharf as part of our continued involvement in the local community and to offer some exciting career opportunities. As a business we always aim to make a positive impact in the places we build and we will do so at Barking Wharf, from revitalizing a former brownfield site, delivering high-quality new homes and providing extensive employment and educational opportunities for locals. EcoWorld London is committed to working in partnership with London Borough of Barking & Dagenham to deliver a world-class, sustainable development and we hope to continue our partnership in the future.”

Councillor Darren Rodwell, Leader of Barking and Dagenham Council said: “We are proud of the growth opportunities our borough offers and last week’s event was well attended by our residents. Our officers have worked with the developers to match residents to jobs on the site and I am encouraged by the fact that over 10 per cent of residents who attended the event have been able to secure employment with a few more in the pipeline.”