Katie wins UCAS Merit Award

Feb 1, 2013

After being nominated by her Tutors at Oldham College, Emanuel Whittaker Bricklayer, Katie Lockwood won the UCAS Merit Award at the Oldham Apprentice Awards.

Katie was unable to attend the celebratory awards dinner held at Oldham’s Queen Elizabeth Hall on 31st January, so the college came to Katie to present her award.

Oldham College’s Angela Evans came to Emanuel Whittaker’s head office in Oldham where Katie was erecting a new disabled access to present her with her prize.

Young apprentices set for bright future in construction industry

Jan 29, 2013

Three young tradesmen are on their way to promising futures in the construction industry after money saved by Contour Homes was used to give their careers a boost.

Chris Stockley, Matthew Mott and Rhys Jones are all working and studying after Contour Homes invested savings in apprenticeships for the trio.

For 18-year-old Chris, of Shaw, Oldham, it’s given him the chance to earn, learn and follow in the footsteps of his dad and brother.

He is working for Rochdale-based painting contractor ER Williams, has completed a Level 2 NVQ in painting and decorating, and is currently working towards his Level 3 qualification at Oldham College. Now he’s hoping to move on to university to study on a part-time construction and development course next year.

Chris said: “I don’t know what I would’ve done without the apprenticeship. I’ve always wanted to work in the trade. My brother is a painter and decorator and my dad was before he retired.

“It’s hard out there at the moment, and I’ve got quite a few mates who are struggling to find jobs or training. This is a great opportunity for me and it’s opened the door to university.”

Apprentices Matthew and Rhys are both working for Oldham-based contractors Emanuel Whittaker while also studying at Oldham College.

Matthew, aged 24, of Fitton Hill, is fitting windows and completed a Level 2 NVQ in Interior Fitting last year. He is being further supported onto a Level 3 qualification in Wood Occupations this year.

Rhys, aged 17, of Chadderton, who has recently started a Level 2 course in Wood Occupations, said: “I really enjoy joinery and like the idea of starting and finishing a job. Since taking up employment I can afford to take driving lessons, which is brilliant.”

Contour Homes has invested in the three-year apprenticeships, plus two more, as a result of buying £3 million of goods and services via the Manchester-based Procure Plus network during the current financial year. A consortium made up of housing associations, it is able to bulk-buy everything from windows and doors to kitchens and paint, meaning money can be saved to invest in other things.

Ross Hemmings, regeneration invest ment officer at Salford-based Contour Homes, said spending that money on “more than bricks and mortar” was vital to help communities prosper.
As well as funding the apprenticeships, savings have also been spent on a variety of community and environmental improvements.

Ross said: “Using Procure Plus has generated savings that we’ve been able to invest in employment and training for Chris, Matthew and Rhys.

“Times are challenging, both economically and for the construction industry, and creating opportunities like these is really important. It’s not just about making physical improvements to neighbourhoods, but creating an investment in skills that is lasting for our communities.

“Offering defined apprenticeships helps support people to achieve success in their chosen career, learning skills for life that will allow them to work in the trades and perhaps start up their own businesses.”

Mark Wilson, apprentice & trainee development! at Procure Plus, added: “We’re delighted to support these young people to succeed in their chosen professions.

“As a regeneration consortium of social housing providers, at Procure Plus we understand it is vital that we create these training opportunities for people to sustain long-term employment.”

Emanuel Whittaker wins Equality Accolade

Jan 25, 2013

Emanuel Whittaker has been accredited the much sought after ‘Gold Standard’ in ‘Committed 2 Equality’ (C2E) – a national equality and diversity scheme – another addition to our impressive record in this field.

Clive Newton, Managing Director said: “This Standard recognises best practice in equality in business. We were the first construction company to receive a basic award in July 2011 and we are delighted to have achieved the Gold award thanks to an overall audit score of 92.6%.”

Organisations with C2E say gains generated by embedding equality in every segment of their business are an important area of Corporate Social Responsibility. It helps profits and increases the worth of the business and hence integrating equality into business strategy, makes good bottom line sense.

Vivienne Duke, Chief Executive at Equality Accreditation Services said: “ During the re accreditation it was clear Emanuel Whittaker had fully embraced the programme through its continual improvement action plan.

Employee feedback was all incredibly positive and it is clear that there is a commitment to the equality agenda at every level in the business. Not only this – but as thought leaders in the construction industry, Emanuel Whittaker is proactive in openly sharing their good practice across the sector. A very well deserved achievement”

This award is one of numerous accolades we have received for our work in the diversity and equality field which started when we worked with the (former) Commission for Racial Equality in 2002 addressing community cohesion issues in Oldham. Our efforts were acknowledged in 2006 when we won the Oldham Diversity and Equality Award.

Since then our company has worked with the Equality and Human Rights Commission, and has contributed to research into diversity in the construction industry. We have worked with the North West Development Agency (NWDA) and Centre for Construction Innovation (CCI) on developing an Equality and Diversity Guidance Note on Accessibility and Inclusive Design for Sustainable Buildings and we have also contributed to the Human Rights Commission Inquiry into Race in the Construction Industry.

Director John Gallagher said: “Our approach to diversity is considered to be amongst the best in the industry, and we are often asked to share our experiences with our clients, peers and other specialist groups. We have a good track record in employing a diverse workforce which exceeds the industry averages on gender, race, age, sexuality and disability.
“The C2E Gold Standard continues to reiterate our reputation as leading the equality and diversity field in the construction sector.”

Emanuel Whittaker plays Father Christmas for children at The Royal Oldham Hospital

Dec 21, 2012

Father Christmas and three trusty elves have delivered over £500 worth of Christmas presents to the children’s ward at The Royal Oldham Hospital.

They didn’t have to travel all the way from Lapland though, instead just across the road from the hospital, from local construction company Emanuel Whittaker Ltd.

Emanuel Whittaker is celebrating its 175^th anniversary this year and has enlisted the support of its staff to deliver 175 ‘little acts of kindness’.  The In Your Hands appeal at the hospital which was launched to provide additional equipment for the new £44m women and children’s development at Oldham, was one of their chosen charities to receive one of the acts of kindness.

Donning a Father Christmas and elves outfits, joiner Gary Brooks, partnerships manager Rukhsana Nabi, bricklayer Katie Lockwood, and Janet Gallagher who is the wife of co-owner of the company John Gallagher, dropped off the 80 presents to children’s ward manager Sr Ann Sutherland and play specialist Karen Huskinson.

Karen said: “I would like to thank Emanuel Whittakers for all the wonderful presents they bought for the children’s unit.  Their generosity will help to make Christmas day special for the children who are in hospital.”

Rukhsana Nabi, partnerships manager at Emanuel Whittaker Ltd said: “We’re an Oldham based company and wanted to put something back into the town that has supported us throughout our 175 year history.  We employ so many people from Oldham whose families will benefit from the new women and children’s development at the hospital that it seemed natural to donate to the children’s ward.

Janet Gallagher, wife of co-owner of the company John Gallagher added, “This is by far our best fundraising initiative – it just shows how much the hospital and the In Your Hands appeal means to our staff for them to dig so deep into their pockets.  Some staff bought presents and others gave us money for presents.  We never expected so many gifts for the children, we’re overwhelmed!”

Katie Lockwood who is a bricklayer at Emanuel Whittakers is a mum of two young children herself.  She said: “Christmas is stressful enough, without having to cope with a child in hospital.  Christmas shopping is the last thing on your mind, so I’m glad we can help.”

Pictured left to right are: Gary Brooks, Sr Ann Sutherland, Katie Lockwood, play specialist Karen Huskinson, Janet Gallagher and Rukhsana Nabi.

New Commercial Director will strengthen Emanuel Whittaker team

Dec 3, 2012

Dave Prescott has joined Oldham based construction and regeneration company Emanuel Whittaker as Commercial Director.

Managing Director of Emanuel Whittaker Clive Newton said:  “We have been in negotiation with Dave for some time.  He is a well-known and well respected figure in the North West construction industry and we are delighted he has decided to join the team.”

At 43  Dave has over 26 years experience in the construction industry and is very much looking forward to working with a company which has been established for over 175 years.

“I have always been impressed with Emanuel Whittaker’s approach to customer service and the quality of work it consistently delivers,” he said.

“As one of the few remaining independent construction companies operating not just in the region but in the country, Emanuel Whittaker is able to retain traditional values such as integrity, honesty and excellence and as such enjoys an enviable reputation.  I am very much looking forward to becoming a part of that.”

Emanuel Whittaker was established in 1837 and today is a specialist in the field of public sector regeneration, refurbishment, construction and conversion.  It employs around 140 staff from its Oldham head office base and is a keen advocate of apprenticeships – this year alone it has employed nine young people to train in various construction industry jobs.

Dave joins Emanuel Whittaker at the end of a major anniversary year during which time the company has not only managed to retain its loyal customer base but also developed relationships with new clients in the social housing sector including Symphony Housing Group, Rochdale Boroughwide Housing, Your Housing Group and Six Town Housing.

Contracts Director John Gallagher added:  “Dave’s appointment will strengthen our management team.  In his new role he will help maintain our existing customer base as well as assist the company to expand into new markets in the construction sector so that our business continues to develop and grow.”