Unemployed people are being given valuable work experience placements in construction, thanks to community regeneration specialist Frank Haslam Milan working with the GreenSquare housing group.

The firm, which is part of the Keepmoat group, has been sourcing candidates through Jobcentre Plus to work on a new-build housing scheme in Swindon.

As part of a £6m contract, FHM has been commissioned to build 50 houses and a 20-bed women’s refuge on behalf of Wiltshire-based Westlea Housing Association, which is part of GreenSquare.

The 52-week project starts this month.

FHM’s Andrew Page said: “The project marks a diversification for us in terms of it being the first women’s refuge we’ve worked on, and it’s particularly interesting as it’s positioned on the same site as a new-build housing scheme.

“The women’s refuge will consist of 20 self-contained apartments and security will be tight as we also plan to install CCTV cameras.

“We’re pleased that GreenSquare’s 4ward2work initiative will be helping the unemployed get back to work through this project and have already got at least 12 people from the surrounding areas poised to take part in paid work placement schemes.

“If the candidates impress they then have the opportunity to move on to apprenticeship opportunities.”