A ground breaking course that aims to give school pupils a foot in the door of the construction industry has started in Tong High School.

Backed by housing group Incommunities, the Graduate Employment Management (GEM) programme allows people to train and get a start in the profession, and now students at the school are taking part in a junior version of the scheme. It will see them take work placements in the company as well as more traditional classroom-based learning.

Eight sixth form students from the Westgate Hill Street school are part of the course, which runs alongside their A levels.

After two years of successful studies they will come out with a Chartered Institute of Housing Level 3 qualification and have the option of progressing to the next level – the equivalent of a foundation degree.

Yesterday, the students met the latest group of GEM graduates at a learning day at Bradford University’s School of Management.

In four years the programme has grown from being a West Yorkshire- based scheme to a national one. Over 30 housing associations across the country now provide traineeships and 30 universities ‘sign post’ students to the programme.

Geraldine Howley, Incommunities group chief executive, said: “Everyone is really excited about the start of the Junior GEM programme and are thrilled that Tong High School are taking part.

“In a short time GEM has developed into a high quality programme designed to equip each participant to become leaders of the future. I am proud that it has developed a national and international presence.

“The beauty of Junior GEM is that it offers an alternative career path to going to university which leads to professional chartered status.”

Trude Feiweles, associate head teacher at Tong High School said: “Our aim at Tong High School is to ensure from the outset that all pupils not only gain the qualifications at the highest level they need to pursue their chosen career, but also the professional and personal skills required.

“We are delighted to be working in partnership with Incommunities on the pilot of a ‘junior’ GEM programme for our A level students and excited to see this partnership continue to grow.”