175 Years Supporting and Training Young People

Mar 13, 2013

Regeneration and construction company Emanuel Whittaker was established in 1837 and from the beginning, the founding fathers were keen to recruit young men to train as skilled tradesmen.  As a result, the company believe that since 1837 it has probably recruited and trained over 700 apprentices from its Oldham headquarters.

Last month, the Office for National Statistics revealed the biggest increase in youth unemployment since the start of 2012 which means 974,000 young people aged 16-24 are unemployed, up 11,000 on the previous quarter.  However, this figure would be considerably higher were it not for the growing popularity of apprenticeships. More than 500,000 people started an apprenticeship in the year from 2011 to 2012 – an increase of 14% – and while most businesses are only just starting to recognise their value, Emanuel Whittaker can boast 175 years experience of training and working with young people.

Clive Newton, Managing Director said: “We are fortunate to have retained many of the original records for the company and these show that even in its first year Emanuel Whittaker had four apprentices on its books.  It’s also fascinating to see that many of these remained with the company for a many years with several staying with us for the rest of their working life.”

Company records also show Emanuel Whittaker’s altruism elsewhere.  The company was determined to train and find employment for young men returning from the first and second world wars and developed a deliberate employment policy to recruit injured servicemen and teach them a trade.

Since the middle ages apprentices were a feature of many trades and how many there were often reflected the country’s economic success.  It was not until the 1900s that apprenticeships fell out of favour and this was largely due to the decline in manufacturing, although, there were still some companies like Emanuel Whittaker which continued to support the scheme.

Today Emanuel Whittaker continues its tradition of supporting, training and employing young men and in more recent years, women – to train as apprentices in the construction sector.

Director John Gallagher adds: “The 21^st century Emanuel Whittaker apprenticeships scheme is run in close partnership with Oldham College and this year we celebrate over 10 years of working together to deliver a programme of modern apprenticeships, work opportunities and work experience.”

In that time a total of over 40 Oldham College students have successfully completed apprenticeships with the company, including many who have won apprenticeship awards.

Samantha Barnes, Recruitment Co-ordinator – Construction at Oldham College, says, “We are delighted to have such a strong partnership with Emanuel Whittaker.  The effort it puts in to supporting apprenticeships and the opportunities it provides for trainees is exemplary.”

National Apprenticeship Week 2013 celebrates the positive impact of apprenticeships on individuals, businesses and the economy, and recognises that this skills-based learning programme is a highly valued process that helps both young people earn a living and gain a skill and provides employers with access to a pool of talented new recruits.

John Gallagher continues:  “Our young people should be in work, training or education – not unemployed. As a keen advocate of the modern apprenticeship scheme we would urge many more companies to sign up to it.

“As a company that can proudly boast supporting 700 apprentices over 175 years – we feel more than qualified in saying that apprenticeships do work.  Do your bit for youth unemployment and find out more during this National Apprenticeship Week.”

For more information go to www.apprenticeships.org.uk or call 08000 150 600.

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.

It’s time to celebrate – 5 years of ROCA

Nov 30, 2012

Members celebrate the 5th Anniversary of ROCA

Founding ROCA supporter Kevin McCarthy cuts the cake

Happy birthday ROCA

The members of ROCA took some time out of their meeting this week to celebrate a major milestone in the initiatives history.

The community fund was established just 5 years ago with the support of First Choice Homes and a number of local businesses from the public, private and voluntary sectors.

Throughout its five year history, ROCA has invested hundreds of thousands in local community initiatives that have helped projects that encourage a sense of community, involving people from all backgrounds and encourage people to develop skills that will benefit their community.

Emanuel Whittaker are proud to be one of the founding members and have continued to support the scheme each year with funding as well as taking part in each and every funding meeting.