About Us
Our Purpose
To discover hidden talents and skills (SPARKS) that enable people to thrive.
To empower individuals, especially young people, by bridging the skills gaps in the green industry and construction sectors.
To ignite sustainable change for our communities.
Our Values
Background
The UK is amid a skills crisis. For decades the nation has undervalued skills, and we must reduce the production of greenhouse gasses for our future generations — however, we simply do not have the green skills required to make these improvements.
A change is desperately needed. A SPARK is needed.
A catalyst for change, The Spark Group was founded in 2023 by Daniel Canavan to address these issues. It will lead the promotion and training of skills for young people, plugging the wider skills gaps.
SPARK will work collaboratively with schools, colleges, employers and other partners to facilitate change, upskilling and sustainability.
How It Began… Before the Spark
In 1996, Daniel started a project called Homeworks here in Stoke-on-Trent with friends Tony Clarke and Richard Allmark. The initial aim was to help elderly members of the community maintain their gardens, but Daniel’s father, Sean Canavan, spotted an opportunity to develop the project further — to use it as a vehicle to provide work experience, education and emotional support for young people.
Homeworks went on to become a nationally recognised service and provided work experience for over 10,000 young people, predominantly from Stoke-on-Trent’s most disadvantaged areas, whilst delivering maintenance and construction contracts worth over £4m annually for local authorities and housing associations.
To register your interest in joining The Spark Group, please scan the QR code
Schools, employers and partners — we’d love to hear from you too.
Get In Touch
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