Co-op Live, the new 23,500 capacity arena in Manchester developed by OVG and construction partners BAM, will support a minimum of 100 apprenticeships during the three-year construction phase, as well as establishing a new training hub for the local community. The announcement follows calls by the Northern Powerhouse Partnership for 10,000 additional apprentices to level up the North in order to address growing skills shortages.
The team behind Co-op Live can confirm that a wide range of apprenticeships generated by the build of the new arena are already becoming available, with 10 new apprentices working on site. Alongside opportunities for apprenticeships in manual trades, such as mechanics, plumbing and electrical work related to the arena’s build, the project will also support technical and professional management roles like quantity surveyors, site managers, audio and visual technicians and other engineers.
These apprenticeships will provide highly skilled opportunities for young people ranging from level 2 through to level 5, which is degree level work and beyond. BAM’s team will mentor apprentices through the program, and work with subcontractors to ensure there are opportunities for local young people in every aspect of the build.
Since OVG launched its plans for the new arena, employment and training opportunities have been central to its plans to make a positive social impact in Manchester. The partnership with Co-op Group, which will see the new arena named Co-op Live for at least 15 years, reaffirmed the commitment to developing a socially responsible venue and nurturing apprenticeships, as Co-op employs around 1,000 apprentices annually.
The construction team has been fully engaged on site at Co-op Live throughout this year. Following last year’s accreditation of Co-op Live as Living Wage venue, all apprentices, and other workers on the site, will be paid the Real Living Wage for their work.
Fern Pritchard, Assistant Project Manager at Turner & Townsend is one of the first apprentices on site. Fern started in the industry as a level 4 NVQ apprentice at the age of 18, has worked on multiple construction projects in the North West and, now aged 23, is currently completing her Level 6 in Project Management working on the Co-op Live project.
The construction team has been fully engaged on site at Co-op Live throughout this year. Following last year’s accreditation of Co-op Live as Living Wage venue, all apprentices, and other workers on the site, will be paid the Real Living Wage for their work.
Mark Donnelly, Chief Operating Officer, OVG International, said: “We’re committed to maximising training and employment opportunities during the construction of Co-op Live. It’s brilliant to see the first 10 apprentices working on site and we recognise the role apprenticeships play in up-skilling people, and I’m excited to continue working with Bam and others to deliver 100 apprenticeships who will help bring one of the world’s greatest arenas to Manchester.”
Ian Fleming, BAM’s Regional Director, said: “These are exciting times for Manchester and for my team across the whole of the North West. As the construction partners for this amazing new arena, our commitment to the city cannot be spelled out any better than by using the work we do to improve local people’s life chances in this way. It’s a brilliant opportunity to give something back to the working life of the city we have built so much of, for so long.”
Fern Pritchard, apprentice at Co-op Live, said: “I’ve found through personal experience over the last 5 years that apprenticeships are a brilliant way to grow your skillset all while continuing to earn a salary. I’m looking forward to completing my level 6 degree in project management and can’t think of a more exciting project in the country to be working on than Co-op Live.”
