In a drive to create employment opportunities for local people in the construction phase of The Bridge, ProLogis, Dartford Borough Council and Taylor Wimpey have joined with Employ Kent Thameside to set up an onsite JobShop.

Based at the ProLogis Academy, the JobShop not only assesses applicants and matches them to employment opportunities, it also arranges any specific training they might need – and its service is completely free of charge.

Building work at The Bridge is moving ahead rapidly. Taylor Wimpey is now on site with the first phase of 1,034 new homes and ProLogis is likely to start work on further commercial buildings shortly.

Commenting on the JobShop, Sally Clarke, Manager of Employ Kent Thameside says:

“This is a wonderful opportunity to help local people find jobs and training courses close to where they live. Contractors are finding that there are huge advantages of employing local people,” she maintains. “Not least because they are living nearby and will reap the benefits that regeneration projects like The Bridge will bring. “

Paul Weston, Senior Vice President at ProLogis Developments Ltd says:

“The strength of the JobShop initiative is that it is focused and practical. It has been welcomed by all the contractors who have worked on site so far and we will ensure that future contractors make the best use of the services the JobShop provides.”