At the heart of the concept behind The Bridge are two key objectives: to create new homes and new jobs for the people of Dartford. And Sally Clarke’s role neatly embraces the two.

“Our first task,” she says, “is to try and get as many local people as possible involved in the construction phase. After that, as new employers move here, we’ll be working to make sure that local people have the wide range of skills they need too.”

The Bridge is the first phase within a massive project where 30,000 homes and 50,000 new jobs are planned for 22 sq m of Kent Thameside over the next 16/20 years. That’s a big ask, but already – with her help and the help of her team - it’s starting to happen.

“We have a lot of local people with excellent construction skills,” she says, “and we want to use as many as them as possible – up to 800 at any one time. So the key is to persuade the sub-contractors to consider taking them on. Many of them don’t necessarily have all the certificates and qualifications – often they were taught the job by their father. Some have issues of numeracy or literacy.

“We can cut through that by assessing their skills levels, getting them to work and then ensuring that they gain their qualifications ‘on the job’ to provide them with transferable skills.”

Sally’s team has set up a Job Shop at The Bridge where prospective employees can come to be assessed and apply for work, and where contractors and sub-contractors can let Sally know exactly what their needs are. “We are in the middle acting as a brokerage,” she says. “And our service is free!”

Of course construction at The Bridge – and the other sites earmarked locally, is just the start. What should follow is a flow of jobs in both the private and the public sector including, hospitality, retail, transport and logistics and clean manufacture. Already Sally has been interviewing prospective employees for the planned Science Centre.

"Local people, by buying into the regeneration of the area, will be part of the picture and will reap the benefits that it will bring."

A large part of her role into the future will be working with the NW Kent College to provide courses to enable people to re-skill or enhance the skills set they already have. “This is not just about construction workers at one end and high skilled people at the other,” she says. “There will be something here for everyone. The College, for instance, is a centre of vocational excellence within Financial Services.

“There are huge advantages of employing local people,” she maintains. “Not least because they are living nearby and because they are committed to its success. Local people, by buying into the regeneration of the area, will be part of the picture and will reap the benefits that it will bring. “

If it sounds as though Sally really cares about her work, it’s not surprising. “I’m from Gravesend,” she says, “I’ve lived here all my life. So I know the people of this area, and what they are capable of. This is our chance to prove it.”

For further information about Kent Thameside, please visit: www.kent-thameside.co.uk