The approval of funding for some 91 housing schemes under the government's Kickstart programme could spell good news for graduates of plumbing courses.

A total of 6,618 new homes are set to be directly funded with £207 million from the scheme, in addition to thousands more which have been approved if they adhere to certain conditions.

It is estimated that local labour initiatives and apprenticeships created as part of the approvals could lead to 1,300 construction jobs.

And further opportunities could arise with the second round of the Kickstart scheme, which has so far received more than 660 bids for funding and could lead to the construction of up to 55,000 residential properties.

Workers who have completed a plumbing training course could be among those who benefit from the new jobs created by the scheme, which will see new homes built in every region of England.

Originally announced in the 2009 Budget, the Kickstart programme is an initiative from the Homes & Communities Agency. It's second bidding round will support schemes scheduled to be completed in 2011-12.

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