Community regeneration specialist Frank Haslam Milan West Midlands has offered three young people from St Basils youth homeless charity full time labouring jobs.

Phil Richardson, 24, Steven Hales, 22, and Peter Newbold, 24, have just signed permanent contracts with Coleshill-based FHM and are currently living in supported accommodation at St Basils in Birmingham.

The trio have just completed a six month work placement with FHM through the Future Jobs Fund scheme and managed to impress bosses so much they have now been offered permanent roles.

FHM is investing heavily in the community by creating new job opportunities for young people from St Basils and the long-term unemployed as part of a wider apprenticeship scheme working with St Basils, Birmingham City Council and Birmingham Municipal Housing Trust (BMHT).

The Keepmoat company plans to create several more training and development opportunities across Birmingham in the next six months after winning a £6.8 million contract with BMHT to support the city’s council house building programme.

FHM’s strong relationship with St Basils was formed last year when the contractor completed the refurbishment and extension of Carole Gething House for St Basils, providing purpose built accommodation for young people.

Following completion of the scheme, FHM has started offering young adults who are staying at Carole Gething House the opportunity to take part in work-place training which could lead to long term employment.

Phil and Steven have both been appointed to work as labourers at Brooklea Grove where FHM is developing a £3.6 million new housing scheme which consists of a three-bed house, 22 two-bed houses, nine three-bed houses and 11 four-bed houses available to rent.

Meanwhile, Peter has been taken on by FHM as an apprentice bricklayer and will work towards his NVQ Level 2 next year.

“He has been assigned to work at Drylea Grove where FHM is building nine four-bed houses, 18 two-bed houses and nine three-bed houses as part of a £3.2 million contract.

Peter, aged 24, said: “I’ve been living at St Basils for just over a year and I moved in due to personal family circumstances.

“I decided to pursue a path in bricklaying as I’ve always been interested in building things and loved lego as a kid, but this gives me the opportunity to apply it to the real world of work.

“I’m looking forward to getting my own place now and buying a car. I’m over the moon about my new job, in fact, I think it’s fair to say I’m ecstatic.”

FHM’s site manager Greg Freeman, based at Drylea Grove, said: “Peter is doing really well.

“He was already attending college when he came to us and had achieved his NVQ level 1 in bricklaying and we’re now supporting his bid to gain a level 2. He’s very hard working and thoroughly deserves this level of support.”

Dave Pearson, site manager at Brooklea Grove, said: “Phil and Steven have got a lot out of their training and that’s why I recommended them for permanent positions.

“They’re both very committed and hard working and we’ve been very impressed by their work.”