Faces Of The First 100

The First 100 exhibition, hosted in Surrey Quays Shopping Centre earlier this year, celebrated some of the first 100 local people who’ve been supported into long-term jobs on the Canada Water development.

Canada Water Connect, a partnership between British Land and charity ELBA, have been busy linking up businesses with great local talent and connecting Southwark residents to life-changing employment. The words and pictures in this exhibition brought the results of this work to life.

Featured roles range from hands-on construction to receptionists and project managers. Striking portraits of these people in their working environments were displayed alongside their personal stories, with the workers sharing in their own words how they got to where they are today.

Here, we take a look at some of these people and hear what they have to say about the roles they’re fulfilling on the development.

Brian – Trainee Bricklayer, City Brickwork

Brian had always wanted to be a bricklayer. Canada Water Connect put him in touch with the opportunity at City Brickwork and now he’s on the path to get his certification.

“Canada Water Connect does everything possible to help you get into what you want to do,” he says. “Their team were always available and helpful, guiding me in what skills are needed for my particular trade.

“I took part in an employment skills workshop, which included site tours and visits to different employers and subcontractors. That’s how I found this job.

“Everything about my job is good. You feel proud when you walk past a structure you’ve built and think ‘I did that’ and when people compliment it. You’re also learning something new, finding out how structures are put together.”

Thiago – Cleaning Operative, Principle Cleaning

As an operative at employee-owned business Principle Cleaning, Thiago helps keep the development clean and tidy. He’s pictured here with supervisor Araci.
“I love the whole environment at my work and the people,” he says. “I feel an important part of the Canada Water project and hope to grow with the company.”

Jordan – Senior Account Manager, EQ Communications

Since joining EQ Communications, the local communications agency working on the Canada Water development, Jordan has grown as a person and learnt a lot about himself, the industry and Canada Water. No two days are the same in a role that encompasses everything from liaising with local media to keep local people informed of what’s happening on the development, to delivering workshops at Redriff Primary School on behalf of the Canada Water team.

“I love engaging with the community and seeing how good engagement with local people can make the difference in building a development that caters to different walks of life,” he says.

“I recently enjoyed working with Redriff Primary School students and the Rotherhithe and Bermondsey History Society on a street-naming video that brought together months of hard work. Working alongside Canada Water Connect, I encourage people to get in touch with them about the support they can offer with finding appropriate work. They’re knowledgeable, helpful, caring and genuinely want to help local people get on in life. “Having lived in Rotherhithe for two and a half years, I understand why people refer to it as a ‘hidden gem’ in London – with special credit to Russia Dock Woodlands, Southwark Park and Surrey Docks Farm! I hope to continue challenging myself, learning, advancing in my career and seeing the progress being made at Canada Water.”