Merton Priory Homes offers free construction courses

People in Morden have the chance to gain a City and Guilds qualification in construction for free, thanks to Merton Priory Homes and South Thames College.

The two institutions have teamed up to provide courses in plastering, painting and carpentry at Merton Training Centre on Lombard Road, Wimbledon.  

The Construction Skills Network predicted over 20,000 more construction jobs by 2016 in Greater London.  

Pauline Ford, from Merton Priory Homes said: "Construction is thriving in Greater London and we want to give people the chance to pursue a career in the construction industry."

The course will lead towards a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card which qualifies people to work on building sites.

A job brokerage service will also be set up to help match trainees with employment.