Skilled professionals are being invited to a special event by North Tyneside Council.

From 1 April 2019, construction, housing repairs and maintenance services – currently delivered by Kier North Tyneside – will return to the direct management of the council.

And later this month, the local authority will hold a series of events to help local tradespeople and small businesses join its books to have access to regular work.

Being held on the evenings of November 20 and 22, they’re aimed at trades such as plumbers, joiners, painters and electricians, as well as more specialist trades like masonry and joinery manufacturing.

The council is also looking for providers to deliver essential training to the returning workforce, including health and safety training as well as trade-specific courses.

The sessions follow a series of successful events held earlier in the year during which 360 people came along to find out about the different opportunities – and now the council will be helping smaller businesses and those who are self-employed through the process of joining its list of sub-contractors.

The sub-contractors will bring extra capacity to the service when needed.

Cllr Steve Cox, cabinet member for Housing, said: “The sessions are open to any small business, sole-traders or those who are self-employed and based locally.

“We are absolutely committed to ensuring that whenever we subcontract work, local tradespeople and businesses have the opportunity to bid for it – and on longer term arrangements – giving them the chance to grow and thrive.

“We want to make the process of joining our books as easy as possible, which is why we’re holding these events, so I’d really encourage people to come along.”

There will be a short presentation by the council and staff will be on hand to provide information and help people join the list of approved suppliers.

Many of the contracts will start from April 2019, when the council’s contract with Kier comes to an end.

People are invited to one of the following events:

• Tuesday 20 November: 6pm – 6.45pm or 7.15pm to 8pm; or
• Thursday 22 November: 6pm – 6.45pm or 7.15pm to 8pm.

Registration starts 15 minutes prior to the start of the sessions and they will be held The Parks Sports Centre, North Shields.

Places must be booked in advance – email [email protected] or call (0191) 643 7717 to book.