Cathedral responds to Foundation for Jobs call (From The Northern Echo)

Cathedral responds to Foundation for Jobs call

8:20am Monday 30th January 2012 in Durham City News By Mark Tallentire

THE Foundation for Jobs wants North-East businesses to help create a working future for the region’s young people. Mark Tallentire learns how Durham Cathedral is responding to the call.

ONE could argue Durham Cathedral has been supporting apprentices for more than 900 years.

Ever since the vast Norman shrine was built, from 1093AD onwards, repairs have regularly been needed.

Now, as The Northern Echo launches the Foundation for Jobs, the cathedral is looking to raise its game.

"We’re looking to increase our apprentice base," Nicky Crombie, the cathedral’s human resources manager, says.

"We’ve got a stonemason apprentice now, we’re looking to recruit a joinery apprentice and we’re looking into having more office-based apprentices.

"The cathedral workforce profile has tended to be older than other employers so it’s nice to offer an opportunity to younger people just entering the workforce and show the cathedral is open to all.

"An apprenticeship allows them to develop skills which will be very useful, like with Anthony."

‘Anthony’ is Anthony Swallow, a joiner who started a four-year apprenticeship with Durham Cathedral in 1989 and has been there ever since – his whole working life.

Taking a break from crafting a new wooden door for the cathedral’s stonemason’s workshop, the 39-year-old, from Wheatley Hill, east Durham, says: "I enjoy it. It’s such varied work."

He recently finished a new timber roof for the cathedral’s Great Kitchen. He’s also built a new roof for the refectory.

In fact, Anthony liked the job so much that his father, David – also a joiner – joined him at the cathedral between 1991 and 2004.

The cathedral’s yard foreman, Iain Wilmshurst, also started there as an apprentice, and is still there, 37 years later.

The Foundation for Jobs, of which the Bishop of Durham the Right Reverend Justin Welby is patron, aims to recruit 100 businesses to provide three-month internships or work placements, see at least 100 new apprenticeships, 1,000 school pupils develop links with employers and 50 young people develop skills to be self-employed, and showcase young jobseekers to potential employers.

To support the campaign, go to northernecho.co.uk/foundationforjobs. More information is available by emailing seth.pearson@darlington.gov.uk or telephone 01325-388462.