The apprenticeship is part of the government’s National Retraining Scheme pilot, aimed at supporting those out of work or at risk of redundancy. Funded by the Construction Skills Fund, a key building block of the Construction Industry Training Board’s skills stability plan for the post covid-19 construction industry, the pilot is being delivered by Re:vision, the charity arm of Procure Plus.

Anthony was referred to Re:vision by The Broughton Trust, a Local Employment Group after completing his Construction Supervision Fundamentals course.

After working with him on interview techniques, a mentor from Re:vision put Anthony forward for an interview at Trueline Construction, the contractor working on the Pendelton estate refurbishment. Following an interview and work trial, Anthony was offered the job.

As shops, bars and restaurants fall victim to the Covid-19 pandemic, many workers will be facing a similar fate to Anthony. He hopes his story will inspire others to try something new.

“Just try it”, he says. “What do you have to lose? People should be willing to try anything at the moment. You don’t know whether you like something or not until you try it and it could benefit your lifestyle more.

Anthony’s is one of up to 100 jobs expected to be created this financial year thanks to the partnership between Procure Plus and Together Housing, Pendelton Together’s parent company.

 Together Housing Group is urging the government to put homes at the heart of its plan for social and economic recovery from the coronavirus crisis.