Connecting local people to new opportunities

 CAPTION:  British Land’s Social Sustainability Executive Freddie Broadhurst with Canada Water Connect’s newest recruit Kita Berman van Heerden, Strategic Lead Julie Hutchinson and Employment & Skills Manager Ian Walker 

Canada Water Connect, the new service to help local people access jobs, training and community initiatives, officially launched with an event held at T&T2 in Surrey Quays Shopping Centre on Monday 20th February.  

Around 50 people, including residents and representatives from charities, schools and businesses in the area, came along to meet Canada Water’s specialist team and discuss the opportunities being created by the development. Team lead Julie Hutchinson, Employment & Skills Manager Ian Walker, Social Sustainability Executive Freddie Broadhurst and newest recruit Kita Bermen van Heerden were on hand to represent the new service, and many great conversations were had, with local stories shared and seeds sown for potential collaboration. 

Freddie said: “It was a pleasure joining colleagues, local partners, and the wider Canada Water community in February to celebrate the launch of Canada Water Connect. We are grateful to the local community for the warm reception and are thrilled to be following up on some great leads to connect local people to the new opportunities being created by the Canada Water Masterplan. We look forward to the next gathering. In the meantime, please do stay connected!” 

Canada Water Connect is already working with a number of referral partners including Southwark Works, Construction Youth Trust, the Southwark Construction Skills Centre and many others, to get local people into meaningful, sustained employment. 

There will be jobs available on the development in many sectors, including construction, retail, hospitality, leisure, estate management, and with the many businesses that will be located here. Employment & Skills manager Ian, a south Londoner born and raised, is already hard at work helping local jobseekers find suitable roles on the development and finding people pathways into training to equip them for employment in and around Canada Water. 

To find out more, including the many opportunities currently available, to list jobs and training opportunities you are offering locally, and to register for updates, visit www.canadawater.co.uk/connect or email [email protected]