Salford Mayor welcomes new Salix Trainees

May 11, 2012

Salix Homes major investment programme is having some amazing affects, and not just on the homes in Salford.

Emanuel Whittaker have a long tradition of providing real jobs and training opportunities to local people. The partnership with Procure Plus and Salix Homes has enabled the 175 year old construction company to take on another seven trainees to join the existing three trainees currently working on Salix Homes projects.

To mark their arrival they received a visit from local Councillor, Stephen Coen and the newly elected Mayor of Salford, Ian Stewart. The VIPs joined the new trainees on the Duchy site, where Emanuel Whittaker are currently carrying out a major programme of internal and external improvement works on behalf of Salix Homes. Councillor Coen and Mr Stewart chatted to the trainees about their experiences in getting into their current positions and wished them well with their training.

Pictured here from left are Josh Harden, Apprentice Carpenter & Joiner; Alex Sheerin, Apprentice Plumber; Councillor Stephen Coen; Rachel Howarth, Trainee Insulation & Building Treatment Operative; Mayor of Salford Ian Stewart; Duchy resident and Trainee Interior Fitter, Chris Corbett; Scott Bond, Trainee Interior Fitter and Cade McMillan, Apprentice Carpenter & Joiner, who was on his first day on the job!

Not pictured are latest newcomer Matthew CaseyInsulation & Building Treatments trainee; Bradley Healey, Trainee Maintenance Operative and Michelle Bailey, Trainee Resident Liaison Officer.

Emanuel Whittaker will be working with Salix Homes to deliver several major projects as part of this year’s investment programme. The works to the Duchy Estate, Stoney Knoll and Gloverfield, Black Friars Court, Floral Court and Bury New Road are all through the Procure Plus Framework.

Emanuel Whittaker’s Apprentices Recognised for their Achievements

May 3, 2012

Emanuel Whittaker are justifiably proud of our apprentices after three of them were recognised for their skills and achievements at various awards events this season.

20-year-old Apprentice Carpenter and Joiner Tom Siwka has beaten off stiff competition to win the top spot at The Oldham College Awards, winning the main award of Apprentice of the Year.

Tom joined Emanuel Whittaker in 2009 as a bench joiner in the company joinery manufacturing workshop.  He then transferred to site and is now in the final year of his advanced carpentry and joinery apprenticeship.

After achieving a Distinction in her core knowledge test, Apprentice Bricklayer and Construction Ambassador Katie Lockwood was nominated by her college to take part in the Guild of Bricklayers Competition at Preston College. Although pipped at the post for the top prize, her tutors said “she is a credit to the company. Her work is of a very good standard and her attitude and conduct on the day were second to none.”

Apprentice Carpenter and Joiner Liam McKelvey has notched up awards in every year of his apprenticeship. Liam started off his award cabinet by winning ‘SELCA Apprentice of the Year’ in his first year apprenticeship. After getting 3^rd place in 2010 and coming 2^nd in last year’s National Skill Build competition, 18-year-old Liam was selected again to represent his college at this years competition.

Emanuel Whittaker Health, Safety and Environment Manager Lee Bradbury said “We’re very proud of all our finalists. Win or lose, they have all demonstrated the high levels of commitment and hard work needed to secure a trade in the industry.  We have a history of taking young people through apprenticeships and onto full time careers within our company, and we have high hopes that all our apprentices will have a secure future in their chosen trades.”

Emanuel Whittakers Announced as Finalists at 2012 NFB Awards

Apr 25, 2012

The shortlist of finalists has been announced for the National Federation of Builders’ (NFB) inaugural annual awards which celebrate the high quality work and commitment delivered by members to improve the built environment.

Emanuel Whittaker are delighted to announce that our entry has been shortlisted in the category of Corporate Social Responsibility Campaign of the Year 2011.

Managing Director of Emanuel Whittaker, Clive Newton said “We are delighted to be shortlisted within this category. Emanuel Whittaker have always been a contractor with a social conscience, and this nomination recognises the contributions our site teams make towards delivering on our CSR committments.  We look forward to the announcement of the winners next month.”

The winners will be announced on Thursday 24 May 2012 at a gala awards luncheon at The Grand Connaught Rooms in London.

Whittakers Walkers Brave the Rain

Apr 24, 2012

Eight Emanuel Whittaker staff, together with their partners and families took part in Dr Kershaw’s annual Hospice-to-Hospice Walk on Sunday 22^nd April.

The walkers endured a heavy downpour to start the 71/4 mile round trip to Rochdale’s Springhill Hospice. But the rain couldn’t dampen their enthusiasm, and the team completed the walk raising almost £3,000 for their efforts.

Dr Kershaws Hospice is just one of three nominated charities being supported by staff at Emanuel Whittaker during their 175^th Anniversary celebrations.

Modern facelift for older people’s accomodation in West Salford

Apr 20, 2012

Older people’s accommodation in West Salford is being given a modern facelift following the completion of the first phase of an improvement programme by City West Housing Trust.

The first five of 15 sheltered housing schemes have had improvements carried out to the communal areas and individual flats and bungalows. The work, carried out by Emanuel Whittaker, includes a complete overhaul of the schemes which were originally built in the 1960s and provide a home to 152 households. The £3.1 million improvements have ensured that the schemes now support 21st Century living and include walk in showers, new double glazed windows, high security doors, new heating systems, improved dining facilities and an improved warden alarm call system and CCTV.

The sheltered housing schemes included in the first phase of the work are Laurence Lowry Court in Swinton, The De Traffords in Irlam, The Meadows in Cadishead and Streetgate and Pennington Close in Little Hulton.

Each scheme held an official opening event once the work was completed, with most recently Pennington Close where residents held a celebration event of afternoon tea and entertainment.

Residents are delighted with the work. John Haynes, 67, who has lived at Pennington Close for three years, said: “I think they’ve done a really good job.”

“The workmen have been brilliant and they have improved everything you could possibly think of. They couldn’t have done anything more.”

“The work has been absolutely fantastic. I’ve seen other schemes that have had work done to them but the work here is far more than we expected, it really is brilliant.”

The work has also instilled a real sense of community spirit. 64-year-old David Davies said: “The work has really brought the community together which is fantastic. Not many people used the community room before as it was quite small and needed some work, but now everyone has a great new place to go and meet.”

“I’ve been living here for nine months and I have seen the difference it has made since I have moved in. It has given the community a real boost.”