The Sky’s the Limit for Rachel
Mar 18, 2016In our final blog in support of National Apprenticeship Week, we celebrate the achievements of young people who have moved away from the traditional roles to meet the construction demands of the future…
Meet Rachel Howard from Salford
I completed my plastering apprenticeship and then was keen to take advantage of a new qualification which was developed by North West regeneration consortium, Procure Plus, and partners. I am really pleased to be the first person in the UK to achieve an NVQ Level 3 in External Wall Insulation at Salford City College’s City Skills Sixth Form Centre.
Like many people I didn’t really know what I wanted to do when I left school but I had 10 GCSEs and so could have gone on to do quite a lot. I have a big family and was used to looking after kids and so I went to college to study childcare. I qualified and got a job but I hated it.
I absolutely loved doing my apprenticeship and get a real sense of satisfaction once a job is done and you see your lovely render on the outside of a building.
People think all apprenticeships are just for school leavers but there is funding available for older people and I don’t think you are ever too old to change direction or learn a new skill.
It was definitely the best move I ever made. Now I have a trade and I am confident my skills will always be in demand.
An apprenticeship worked for me
Mar 17, 2016Emanuel Whitaker have been supporting apprenticeships for it’s entire 179 history, so we know the benefits that apprenticeships bring to our company.
This week we’re supporting National Apprenticeship Week and taking the opportunity to celebrate the achievements of some of our apprentices.
Meet Danny Bosher from Oldham.
I now have a great skill and a full time job as a joiner thanks to my apprenticeship.
People think that the only people who do apprentices are those who didn’t do well at school but I did really well and got all my GCSEs – but I had just had enough of education and wanted to get to work as soon as I could.
I knew that I wanted to work in construction as the idea of working in an office was not my idea of fun.
If like me, you don’t like sitting in a classroom then try to get an apprenticeship because you can learn but you are actually doing the job while you are learning. Its miles better than just reading about something. I know I pick up things much quicker by doing something. You even get paid to learn as an apprentice which as far as I am concerned is a massive bonus to the scheme.
An apprenticeship worked for me because I get to work on different sites and do all kinds of different jobs. Emanuel Whittaker does a lot of refurbishment work and my favourite thing is putting in new kitchens for people. It’s really interesting and the people you are doing the work for are really nice and are dead chuffed at the end of it when they see their new kitchen.
Loads of my mates are unemployed and have been for ages and I was looking for a job myself for ages and so I know how lucky I am to have done an apprenticeship. Now I have a qualification that will last a lifetime, a good job and no student debt.
£600,000 facelift for Salford’s ‘steel’ homes
Mar 16, 2016
A major improvement project to modernise more than 60 steel-built homes in Salford is gathering pace.
Emanuel Whittaker will be working to transform 67 homes on the Weaste Steel estate on behalf of Salix Homes, which owns more than 8,300 homes in central Salford.
The estate, built in 1948, is made up of pre-fabricated-style homes, known as British steel framed houses, which were designed and produced by the British Iron and Steel Federation (BISF).
The non-traditional method of construction became popular following the Second World War as part of a major homebuilding plan to address the housing shortage at that time, as the properties could be built much quicker than traditional brick-built houses.
The £600,000 renovation project will see the properties fitted with new kitchens, bathrooms, windows, doors, electrics and heating systems, as well as given an external facelift and re-painted.
Mark Foster, head of investment at Salix Homes, said: “These steel-framed homes in Weaste represent a real piece of history, but are in great need of modernisation, so this project marks a key milestone in our £22 million investment programme that we are delivering to homes and communities across the city over the next two years.
“Unlike other types of pre-fab homes, these steel-framed houses were built to stand the test of time and have a similar life-expectancy to a traditional brick-built home, but after suffering from lack of investment over the years, we are confident that our improvement programme will ensure these properties are brought back into the 21st century, creating modern and desirable homes that our tenants can continue to be proud of.”
Following the transfer of more than 8,300 homes from Salford Council to Salix Homes last year, the housing provider is carrying out much-needed improvements to 2,200 homes in Salford over the next two years.
John Gallagher, director at Emanuel Whittaker, said: “Modernising these types of properties can be quite complex and requires a different skill set than usual, however, our knowledge and expertise means we are looking forward to tackling this challenging job.
“We will also ensure that we look after the needs of residents during the works to keep disruption to a minimum and maintain our 100 per cent satisfaction rates.” The work on the Weaste Steel estate is expected to be completed by summer this year (2016)
Christmas comes early for Salford church group
Dec 18, 2015
Christmas has come early for a Salford church group who have a new and improved community centre in time for the festive season.
Emanuel Whittaker and Salford housing association Salix Homes have come to the rescue of Treasure House in Weaste – a Christian church group which brings people together for worship and community activities.
The group had purchased a warehouse on Eccles New Road to transform into a community hub, but sourcing funding to complete the project was proving difficult.
Emanuel Whittaker are working nearby to improve almost 100 homes on the Meadowgate Estate as part of Salix Homes’ two year investment programme, which will see 2,200 homes across Salford undergo £22m of much needed improvements including new kitchens, bathrooms, windows and doors.
While carrying out improvements to the home of church pastor Soloman Obisan, who is a Salix Homes tenant living on the Meadowgate estate, senior resident liaison officer Adam Berry learnt of the church group’s plight.
Adam, inspired by Soloman’s enthusiasm for this great cause, asked his bosses at Emanuel Whittaker if the company could help and they gave him the green light to offer staff time as well as funds.
It was then all hands on deck as our Salford site teams worked alongside sub-contractors Rixonway Kitchens, Smart Sun Heat and Solar-Gen to re-plaster the walls, install heaters, fit a new kitchen and upgrade the bathroom facilities.
Soloman said: “When the companies told us what they were going to do for us we just could not believe it – we literally sang and danced for joy.
“The kindness and generosity of everyone involved has meant that we can celebrate Christmas in style and help those in the community who may need some support at this special time of the year.”
Mark Foster, head of investment at Salix Homes, said: “Salix Homes is committed to supporting the communities where we are delivering our home improvement schemes and working with our partner contractors to improve local facilities.
“Treasure House will be an excellent community resource and we hope their new and improved building will help them spread some festive cheer this Christmas.”
Adam Berry, senior resident liaison officer at Emanuel Whittaker, added: “It’s nice to know that we have been able to provide a long lasting community legacy for the Weaste community, particularly at Christmas time, and all of us involved were delighted to have been able to help.”
Treasure House offers numerous community activities throughout the week. For more information go to www.thetreasurehouse.com
New apprentice recruits start work
Dec 15, 2015
A Salford housing provider and its partner contractors have welcomed their latest intake of apprentices.
Salix Homes, which owns more than 8,300 homes across central Salford, has appointed 36 apprentices this year in a range of roles from construction to customer service.
The recruits, who are all local people aged between 17 and 41, have been employed directly with the housing provider as well as with its partner contractors including construction specialists Emanuel Whittaker, Seddon, and A Connolly Ltd, and property maintenance providers Sure Group.
Among the apprentices is 20-year-old Salix Homes tenant Tom Denton, from Charlestown, Salford, who is an apprentice joiner with Oldham-based Emanuel Whittaker.
Tom said: “I feel really lucky to have been selected for this apprenticeship and being able to earn while I learn. As well as learning a new skill which I know will be useful in the future, it’s good that I am helping to improve my local area.”
The new recruits are working on Salix Homes’ £22million investment programme, which will see improvements made to 2,200 homes in Salford over the next two years including new kitchens, bathrooms, windows and doors.
Mark Foster, head of investment at Salix Homes, said: “We are very proud to work alongside our partner contractors to provide these training opportunities for local people to help them create a better life for themselves. “Apprentices represent the future of the housing sector and we are confident our newest cohort will not only gain valuable skills, experience and qualifications, but will also help us to develop a stronger workforce.”
Over the next five years, Salix Homes will create hundreds of new jobs and training opportunities after tenants voted to transfer the ownership of their homes from Salford Council – a move that has unlocked £75m investment in homes and communities across the city.
John Gallagher, contracts director at Emanuel Whittaker, said: “Emanuel Whittaker is renowned for its apprenticeship training and we have a strong history of working with young people. We are very pleased to be continuing this tradition with this latest selection of recruits at Salix Homes.”
Simon Harrison, managing director at A Connolly Ltd, added: “Our business ethos is to raise awareness of construction careers, and also invest in young people who want to work within the industry. Our commitment to our apprentices is to take them through to NVQ3 in their chosen trade or profession and this has been recognised in our recent award through GM Chamber Wigan business awards in supporting apprentices.”
Maggie Heap, community project manager at Seddon, said: “It is a privilege to be able to welcome our latest raft of recruits 119 years after we first launched in Salford.
“Salix Homes is committed to not only improving people’s home through the improvement works, but also helping young people climb the career ladder. This passion is inspiring and we are delighted to be involved with the project.”
Jane Cunningham, director at Sure Maintenance added: “Well trained, quality gas and electrical engineers are critical, as they keep Salix Homes’ customers safe. We are delighted to have recruited motivated and enthusiastic local people as apprentices to support the on-going future delivery of the Salix Homes electrical and gas services.”
The apprenticeships are run in conjunction with procurement consortium Procure Plus.
Kate Parker, senior regeneration manager at Procure Plus, added: “We are thrilled that both Salix Homes and our contractor partners have provided meaningful, paid employment opportunities for many local people who may have otherwise struggled to secure employment.
“Salix Homes’ commitment to improving properties over the next five years means we can offer full apprenticeships, training people in trades which will ensure they can sustain their own employment for years to come.”