MORE than 50 jobs are to be created in Southampton after a building supplies firm announced its expansion.

Selco Builders Warehouse is due to open a new branch in the city on November 30, bringing its total UK bases to 39.

A total of 55 jobs will be created at the new site in Millbrook Industrial Estate and the firm will work closely with Southampton’s job centres and local colleges to focus on helping long-term unemployed to find work.

Selco has also created a pre-employment training programme to help people develop their skills by gaining a BTEC qualification.

Marc Lucock, human resources director of Selco Builders Warehouse, said: “We had an initial meeting with Southampton City Council to review our employment strategy in Southampton, which involved working with the long-term unemployed in the area.

“As well as working alongside the city’s job centres, we are liaising with City College Southampton and Brockenhurst College.

“We have devised a pre-employment training programme for those interested, where a BTEC retail qualification can be gained.

"During the course, applicants learn key skills including customer service techniques and vital health and safety information.

“We make sure that we interview everyone that has undertaken this course, giving them the first opportunity to fill our vacant positions.”

Chris Cunliffe, chief executive of Selco, added: “We are delighted to be opening in Southampton and working alongside the city’s job centres and colleges.

“Selco’s policy has always been to employ as many people as possible from the branch’s community, so it made perfect sense for us to collaborate with these employment partners.”

The warehouse will offer a range of building materials for jobs including drainage, roofing, electrics and plumbing, plus kitchen and bathroom showrooms.

Selco has already recruited its management team, but jobs are still available and to apply visit jobs.selcobw.com.

The firm, originally set up in Birmingham in 1895, has enjoyed a rapid expansion in the past 15 years after increasing its number of branches seven-fold.