We’ve got Gold!

Jun 30, 2015

Emanuel Whittaker has been awarded the prestigious Investors in People Gold standard,  joining the top 7% of accredited organisations across the UK who believe in realising the potential of their people

Managing Director, Clive Newton said:  “We have successfully completed a demanding assessment process across several days. As well as looking at our administration and operating systems, the process included interviews with myself, senior managers, office staff and site staff from every rank.

“The company scored 186 out of 196 and I am so proud of all our people who work to the same high standards day in, day out.  This gold award is a tribute to how the company is managed at all levels and reflects on the positive ethos and attitude of our employees.”

Investors in People is a management framework for high performance through people. Its prestigious accreditation is recognised across the world as a mark of excellence and it champions best  practice in people management determined via a rigorous and objective assessment to determine performance.

Susan Holt, the assessor from Investors in People said: “Emanuel Whittaker achieved its goals through its positive and consistent people practices.  Everyone is valued for their contribution and the sense of team along with the commitment to business goals is strong across all roles.  It was a privilege to share in the company’s positive culture and be involved in their achievement of Gold.”

This new gold standard will join the company’s other quality accreditations which include Committed2Equality (gold), Construction Skills (Platinum), EN ISO 14001:2004 and  ISO9001:2008.

Human Resource Manager Anna Whittaker was responsible for leading the Investors in People process.  “We are absolutely delighted with this recognition,” she said.  “The gold standard will ensure we maintain and recruit great staff and will also demonstrate to our existing and new clients that we have the best people working at Emanuel Whittaker.”

Like father, like son

Mar 6, 2015

It’s National Apprenticeship Week this week and as usual we are celebrating our commitment to training young people with a variety of initiatives including talking to our youngest apprentice, 16 year old Josh Rose about his experiences.

Josh lives in New Moston and attended Oasis Academy, Oldham where he left with five grade B GCSEs.  Despite his academic success however, he didn’t want to go to college and instead decided to follow in his dad’s footstep to become a joiner.

“I knew I wanted to be a joiner when I was ten,” said Josh.  “My dad would sometimes take me to work with him and I really enjoyed watching him.”

And Josh has not only followed in his dad’s career footsteps but also in his training footsteps because dad Jonathan also learned his trade as an apprentice with Emanuel Whittaker!

“The company came to our school to talk to us about apprenticeships,” said Jonathan, “and a week after leaving school I started with them.  I was 15 when I started my City and Guilds in joinery.”

In fact Jonathan liked Emanuel Whittaker so much he remained with the company for 16 years.  He was keen that Josh try to get an apprenticeship with the company he believes can’t be beaten when it comes to training.

He adds: “My time with Emanuel Whittaker was fabulous and I look back with great fondness.  The company had a reputation then for being one of the best places to do an apprenticeship and that reputation is just as deserved today.  I was thrilled when Josh got a place.”

Josh is currently learning his craft on a project with First Choice Homes Oldham where he works with an expert team installing new kitchens.

“I am a hands on type of person and so a full time college course didn’t really appeal to me,” said Josh.  “I am getting so many different experiences working in the real world which I think is  important.  It’s lovely to see how the tenants, the customers, appreciate their new kitchens and I am working with a great team who have made me feel very welcome.”

Josh goes to Oldham College every Monday to fulfil the theoretical side of his apprenticeship and develop his new skills.  He hopes to have a basic carpentry and joiner qualification in two years and then may decide to take advanced skills.

“I think apprenticeships are a great idea,” said Josh.  “I am being paid to learn and I am mixing with lots of different people, colleagues and customers.  I am learning a useful skill and I am confident that I will get a full time job when I have finished.”

Government figures show that 90% of apprentices stay in employment after finishing their apprenticeship and 83% said their ability to do the job and their career prospects had improved.  Emanuel Whittaker is proud of the fact that the majority of its apprentices are employed full time either in house or with one of our approved sub-contractor partners.

Last year, Emanuel Whittaker made The Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers List which is compiled annually by the National Apprenticeship Service in partnership with City & Guilds. It recognises excellence in those businesses that employ apprentices and that can prove an exceptional contribution to apprenticeships.  We will continue our commitment to training young people for many years to come.

To find out more about the benefits of apprenticeships go to www.apprenticeships.gov.uk

Emanuel Whittaker secures share of Salix Homes multi-million pound investment plan

Feb 19, 2015

Emanuel Whittaker have been awarded a share of a multi-million pound contract to transform social housing in Salford.

Salix Homes, which manages 8,500 homes across central Salford, has announced its three principal contractors to deliver its £22m investment programme over the next two years

Greater Manchester-based firms Emanuel Whittaker, Seddon and A.Connolly Ltd, have been named as the three main contractors to lead the ambitious improvement programme to 2,200 homes across the city.

As part of the investment scheme 1,100 homes will get new kitchens, 600 will get new bathrooms, 850 will get new windows and 800 will get new doors.

All three firms have been handed an equal share of the contract with Emanuel Whittaker named as the main contractor for the ambitious revamp at Canon Green Court in Broughton, which will undergo a £2.9m makeover; while A.Connolly Ltd, based in Wigan, will lead the improvements on more than 300 homes on the South Ordsall Estate and the Gerald Road Estate in Charlestown, and  Seddon, which has offices based in Bolton, taking the lead on the £7m transformation of ageing tower block trio Mulberry, Magnolia and Sycamore Court on Pendleton’s Broadwalk Estate.

The two-year investment programme is the first phase of a £75million project over the next five years made possible thanks to tenants voting to transfer ownership of their homes from Salford City Council to Salix Homes.

Lee Sugden, chief executive at Salix Homes, said: “We are pleased to announce the appointment of our three principal contractors to work alongside Salix Homes to deliver our significant investment plans for Salford.

“We have worked very closely with our tenants throughout the procurement process. Our chosen contractors all have an excellent track record and consistently high levels of customer satisfaction, so we are confident they will help us deliver on our promise to create the homes and communities that the people of this great city deserve.

“It is a priority for Salix Homes that every contract should have a wider, positive impact on the community, which is why for every £1m invested; our contractors will guarantee to create two apprenticeships for local people.”

The improvement scheme is the continuation of a major programme to improve all 8,500 homes currently managed by Salix Homes and bring every property up to the Government’s Decent Homes standard by 2020.

John Gallaher, Emanuel Whittaker contracts director, added:  “We have enjoyed a long and mutually rewarding relationship with Salix Homes and so we are particularly pleased to be working together again in the future.  This contract also secures employment and training opportunities for our teams in Salford.”

The transfer of homes from the council to Salix Homes is expected the take place at the end of March, and the first phase of improvement work will begin in spring.

Vacancy Announcement – HS&E Advisor

Feb 10, 2015

Emanuel Whittaker are looking to appoint a highly motivated individual to support our existing health & safety team and contribute to the successful management of our companies health and safety policy and our ongoing compliance (both at head office and on site) with the Health and Safety at Work Act and our own internal procedures.

This is a permanent role based at our Rochdale Road offices and reporting to the HS&E Manager.

You will be responsible for managing all aspects of HS&E issues, including:

• Proactively managing the company health and safety policy
• Ensuring compliance, both at head office and on site, with HSAWA and company procedures
• Keeping up to date with developments on health and safety within the industry
• Preparing project specific CDM paperwork
• Ensuring health and safety documentation is properly archived
• Delivering health and safety training
• Carrying out site HS&E audits, advising on health and safety matters and reporting findings
• Evaluating subcontractors for entry onto approved subcontractor database
• Preparing for and participating in quarterly Company health and safety meetings

The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate the following:

Essential Attributes

• Hold or be working / committed to working towards a NEBOSH Construction Certificate (or above)
• CSCS card ownership
• Understanding of undertaking Risk Assessments & writing Safe Working Procedures
• Understanding of creating Construction Phase Plans and compiling Health & Safety Files
• Experience of undertaking Site Audits on live construction sites
• Excellent communication, negotiation, analytical & interpersonal skills
• Competent user of Microsoft Word packages

Preferable Attributes

• Experience of working for a social housing refurbishment contractor
• Experience of KPI Data Collection & Report Writing
• Experience of undertaking Scaffolding Safety Inspections
• Experience of Delivering In-House Training Courses & Tool Box Talks
• Understanding of undertaking COSHH Assessments
• Experience of Fire Safety Management

It should be noted that applications are encouraged from candidates who may not currently have experience of working at HS&E Advisor level, as full support will be offered in terms of your future development and progression into the role.

Package

An attractive package including negotiable salary and company vehicle is offered. Working hours will be 8am-5pm Monday to Friday.

Applications

Applications should be made in writing along with a copy of your current CV to Anna Whittaker (anna@emanuel-whittaker.co.uk) on or before 17^th February 2015.

Emanuel Whittaker Annual Golf Day Raises £2000 for DR Kershaws Hospice

Aug 22, 2014

Emanuel Whittaker’s recent charity golf day has raised over £2,000 for Dr Kershaws Hospice.  

Emanuel Whittaker Facilities Manager Phil Peacock and Contracts Administrator  Sandra Newton organised the day. Phil said: “We would like to pass on our huge thanks to everyone who supported this event, especially our sponsors who were predominantly subcontractors and suppliers from Oldham and the surrounding area.”

Ten teams of four players joined in the fun at Saddleworth Golf Club and the day was won by Heywood based Avonside Group Limited

Phil added:  “It was a great day for everyone involved and thankfully the weather held out. Both players and sponsors have been incredibly generous with their time and money and even found extra cash to add to the evening raffle.”

The Emanuel Whittaker Golf Day was first held in 2012 as part of the company’s 175 anniversary year celebrations. It was so successful the company have made it an annual event and if you are interested in supporting the event in 2015 get in touch @emanuel_whittak