Gorleston man 'excited' about his future on third river crossing
Reece Ryan, from Gorleston, is excited about his future in construction following his completion of the Kickstart programme. - Credit: Steve Adams
A construction worker on Great Yarmouth's third river crossing project has thanked an employment scheme for kickstarting his career.
Reece Ryan, 25, had been out of work for two years before signing up to the government's Kickstart programme.
On the Kickstart programme, Mr Ryan, from Gorleston, was able to train for his Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) which enabled him to choose a pathway in the construction industry.
"I was able to do my CSCS within a month and I wanted to get on site as quick as as I could," Mr Ryan said.
"At the moment I'm doing a bit of everything - a bit of carpentry, steelwork and even some engineering - and it's nice I'm given the opportunity to find out what I want to specialise in."
Before being offered a job by BAM Farrans Joint Venture - the third river crossing's developers - Mr Ryan had been an out-of-work agency employee.
Mr Ryan lives with his grandparents and their at-risk status prevented him from being offered job contracts during the pandemic.
Most Read
- 1 Mixed feelings for traders as they move into Great Yarmouth's new market
- 2 Drone shots show British warship anchored off Yarmouth ahead of Jubilee
- 3 Rollesby mum shares heartbreak after death of her seven-year-old daughter
- 4 Six arrested after Willow the dog finds 'substantial' quantity of drugs
- 5 Green light for new Sainsbury's store on 850-home estate
- 6 Tributes to 'wonderful' school head who loved to see children learn
- 7 Work begins on £3m Great Yarmouth council flats development
- 8 Hero boxer rescues man who plunged into river to save dog
- 9 Crews called to collapsed walker on remote Norfolk Broads' path
- 10 Pleasure Beach to hold fireworks spectacular for Queen's Platinum Jubilee
"I've never had people push me before. I feel people want me to progress and I am excited about the future," Mr Ryan added.
Baroness Vere, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Department for Transport visiting the construction of the third river crossing in Southtown, Great Yarmouth. - Credit: Steve Adams
On Friday, Mr Ryan was one of the employees who met transport minister Baroness Vere who made a visit to the town to see how the third river crossing was progressing.
Mr Ryan said he received his Kickstart Award from Baroness Vere on the day and that "it was nice to get a visit from someone like that".
Since construction on Norfolk County Council’s key infrastructure project began, lead contractor BAM Farrans Joint Venture estimates over £8 million has already been spent directly within the local economy and over 50 full time positions have been provided to local people.
The third river crossing will link the A47 at Harfrey’s roundabout to the port and the enterprise zone on the other side of the river.
Latest drone footage taken in December 2021 showing progress on Great Yarmouth's third river crossing. Work will resume in January 2022. - Credit: Norfolk County Council
