May the (Heat)Force be with you

A few weeks ago I told you all about the new apprentices, Gemma and Kate starting at Heatforce Plumbing and Bathrooms. I'm glad to say everything is going very well.


They turned up so early on their first day their mentor Tony was thinking of giving them the office keys to open up the next day. I've spoken to them both a few times since they've started their apprenticeships, they're very happy with the mix of their day training at college then out on site at Taff and United Welsh properties. Kate told me "I get ribbed the same as everyone on site, I feel right at home already. I've also been surprised at how much hands on work both Gemma and I have had right from day 1"

The picture above was taken at about 8.00am one day last week for Heatforce and Construction Youth Trust, some of us don't exactly look our best at that time but Gemma and Kate(5th and 6th from left) have normally been on site an hour by then. Everyone joined in wearing the now legendary Pink Ladies hard hats and Hi Viz. At least it will give you a laugh.

Clare Watkins

Integrate Targetrd Recruitment and Training

Renovating property & Generating jobs with Cadwyn

Integrate member Cadwyn have just secured three new apprenticeships through their WHQS works at Princes and James Howel Court. On visiting the site very recently I found a hive of activity throughout.

In one flat were Hanif Yagoob and Lewis Dite(pictured) two of Cadwyns new carpentry apprentices who have been employed in partnership with Willis Construction. They've been thrown in at the deep end, starting college in Dumballs Road on Monday and then their first on site experience on Thursday. Thankfully both still show the same great enthusiasm which made them the successful candidates at interview. Hanif has ambitions to be MD of his own property development firm very soon...watch this space.

I also caught up with Jonothan Pahl, the electrical apprentice employed in partnership with A Payne Electrical and Data Services. He was so keen to get on with the job I barely got him to stand still long enough to take his picture. I keep using the word but it's such a buzz to see such enthusiasm from all the partners involved as well as the apprentices. Marc Payne(not surprisingly from A Payne Electrical) said, "We already encourage the employment of apprentices and are glad to be able to create new opportunities for people within Cadwyns communities."

Integrates aim to maximise the opportunities for jobs and training through its procurement is going full steam ahead. You can see from the apprentices that this is an initiative that's a Win Win all the way. Either that or Glyn from Willis Construction is hiding in the background telling a good joke.

Clare Watkins

Integrate Targeted Recruitment and Training