A number of successful events have recently been held at The Works: Ebbw Vale to inform Blaenau Gwent’s communities about the ongoing progress and the exciting developments that are transforming the area.
The Meet the Neighbour Event was held at the Environmental Resource Centre, which is located at The Works and is run by Gwent Wildlife Trust. This gave the community an opportunity to meet the contractors who are constructing projects at The Works, learn about the progress of these developments and answer any queries that the public may have.
Coun John Mason, Leader of Blaenau Gwent Council, said:
“The Works is absolutely pivotal to the regeneration of Blaenau Gwent, as part of our strategy to create opportunities here in our county borough and build a vibrant future for our communities.
“These Meet the Neighbour events provide opportunities for Blaenau Gwent’s communities as well as people in Ebbw Vale, to find out more about what The Works offers, both now and into the future. Whether people are interested in learning or leisure, sport or business, local history or even sustainable development, there is something for everyone.”
As part of the event, Leadbitter Group, who are constructing the Hot Mill School, took visitors near the perimeter of the building so that they could view the scale of the project and the progress being made. Visitors included 16 health and beauty students from Coleg Gwent’s Ebbw Vale campus, who were keen to learn about how sustainability is being applied at The Works and therefore help them to relate this back to the sustainability modules being taught as part of their course. The community were also able to meet representatives from:
• Gwent Archive Trust - recently relocated to the General Offices
• Willmott Dixon - the contractors who are constructing the multi storey car park at The Works
• Morrison Construction – contractors responsible for delivering the infrastructure contract
• Blaenau Gwent leisure and education who were available to answer any queries from the community about the new leisure and education facilities that will be available at The Works.
Another recent event focused on educating girls about the careers in construction that are available—using The Works and the projects being developed within the scheme as examples. This highlighted the diverse range of skills required to develop and deliver such a project.
Pupils from Tredegar and Ebbw Vale comprehensive and Coleg Gwent Ebbw Vale campus took part in the event. The day involved learning about The Works and the history of the former steelworks site, as well as an opportunity to talk with ambassadors from the construction industry who are involved in The Works to give them information on the variety of careers available. This was followed by a tour of the Blaenau Gwent Learning Zone, which is currently being constructed by Leadbitter and is due to open in September 2012.
Rob Bradley, Regional Director of Leadbitter’s Western Construction division, said:
“Constructing two first class learning environments at The Works provides ample opportunities for Leadbitter to put our commitment to providing training opportunities and engaging with the community into practice. We are delighted to be working with Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council to provide events like these, which benefit local residents and help nurture the career aspirations of tomorrow’s construction professionals.”