Powerday Supported Project Secures Lottery Funding

A recent project, supported by Powerday, that helps young unemployed Londoners into long term employment in the waste industry has secured lottery funding for two and a half years.


The Kotuku Environmental Labour Project (KELP) equips the youngsters with basic skills and qualifications, and matches them with work opportunities in the construction and waste management industries. The scheme was set up by Andrew Pears MCIWM and received initial Lottery Funding for a pilot scheme in July 2012. Two courses were held last year achieving a 60% success rate for candidate completion, significantly higher than Government Back to Work schemes. Kotuku will run ten courses over the next two years giving 60 young unemployed Londoners an opportunity to enter the workforce.


Powerday has been an early supporter of the scheme, holding training days at its Materials Recycling Facility in North West London and provided placements for two candidates. Simon Little, Sales & Marketing Director says: “We are very pleased to see this great initiative secure funding for the next two years. KELP not only addresses the issues that prevent young people entering the workforce but also provides an attractive proposition for employers. Powerday has a commitment to giving young people a chance and this project enables us to do just that as we expand our business”.



Andrew Pears, Project Director, Kotuku says: “We are delighted to have secured the Lottery Funding to enable us to continue to help London’s young unemployed and improve the prospects of our candidates. These candidates have great ability and aptitude if encouraged and supported and this funding enables us to focus our efforts on giving them a chance to move their lives forward.”



The featured image shows candidates visiting Powerday’s site at Old Oak Sidings.