Targeted recruitment and training with Holbrook Homes Ltd

Family-run business based in Bridgend, South Wales, Holbrook Homes Ltd have actively embraced targeted recruitment and training, through the development of their staff.
Former sub-contractor Aran Burman from the Rhondda Valley initially started with Holbrook nearly a decade ago as a carpenter and was offered a position working directly for the business in October 2010. As a result of Holbrook securing the Briton Ferry contract with Costal Housing Group, Director Steve James was able to develop Aran to trainee site manager. To date Holbrook has enrolled Aran on several training courses, including the CITB Site Management Safety Training Scheme, First Aid at Work training and Appointed Person, Banksman and Slinger for crane lifting operations.
Catching up with Aran on one of Coastal Housing Group’s housing development sites on Briton Ferry Road in Neath Port Talbot, he expressed his gratitude towards the contractor’s efforts in facilitating his career progression. “Working with a number of site managers over the years, I have always been fascinated with the pivotal role site management plays and considered it a natural step in my career development. Holbrook has supported my progression, without which I potentially could have been working on the tools till my retirement, not an ideal situation. I am really enjoying managing a number of properties on the development, building up my portfolio with a range of experiences.”
Trainee Site Manager Aran has been given the responsibility of managing a number of the two bed terraced houses on the 25 property development, which also includes a newly built Advice Centre. The development is a mix of two bedroom four person houses, two apartment blocks, with associated parking and garden areas.
The site which fronts onto Briton Ferry Road was previously a row of derelict and dilapidated properties, mainly shops, with rear yards which were disused and in poor condition.

Clare-Integrate

Six Apprenticeships Sustained in Neath Port Talbot!

Pennant Homes and Seven Oaks Joinery Ltd have committed to targeted training and recruitment during the construction of their exciting new Parc y Dderwen housing development. As part of their commitment to targeted training and recruitment, Seven Oaks will be sustaining six apprentices, in four different trades; carpentry, plumbing, painting and decorating and bricklaying. In addition, Severn Oaks will be participating in a local community project, including the donation of both time and materials.
Highly skilled and qualified apprentices are vital to making Welsh business more competitive and helping the economy grow. Seven Oaks efforts in providing a wide range of opportunities during the construction of the development has demonstrated an active commitment to local communities. Contracts Manager Malcolm Thomas commented, "Apprenticeships are the lifeblood of the industry offering an invaluable step into a career for young people as well as benefiting companies in a number of ways. We have always been committed to employing local people and local companies sub contracting works packages.”
Phase one of the three-phased development which started in October 2011, consists of 23 housing units, in addition to a timber bat house to relocate bats currently roosting in the old college building. Situated on the site of the former Cwmtawe college, the attractive development will comprise of a mix of property types, ranging from 2-bedroom bungalows to 3-bedroom townhouses. Properties will benefit from great views over Pontardawe and the surrounding countryside as the land slopes down to the south, with a number of large plateaus. All the homes benefit from dedicated parking spaces and gardens, with a number of mature oak trees retained on site, giving the development its name, which translates as Oak Park.

Above: Site entrance; March 2012


Above: The surrounding countryside provides panoramic views and a wealth of natural amenities, adding to the quality of life of dwellers; March 2012
Above: Parc y Dderwen site plan

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Clare-Integrate

Exciting new office, exciting new apprenticeship!

Leading construction, services and property group Kier, have offered yet another apprenticeship as part of their commitment to community investment.

David Llewllyn from Cardiff has been offered a three year carpentry apprenticeship with Kier, joining the UWHA Cardiff office renovation team, for his first project. David impressed the team during a work trial day, helping to fit a kitchen at UWHA’s Adamscourt residence to a high standard. Construction Design Manager Tyrone Feeley commented, ‘David really shone during his work trial, he demonstrated a wide range of skills and a commitment to learning, so we are delighted to welcome him to the team.’

David will be working alongside the team, to create a new office which will provide a bespoke staff, tenant and community facility that reflects the high quality environment provided at UWHA head office Y Borth. The development will make a positive and long-term commitment to the re-generation of the local area and ensure UWHA maintains a high quality profile in the principality. With an anticipated completion being the summer of 2012, David is looking forward to getting started on site towards the end of the month.

Above: Tyrone and Alan

Currently working on site

David will be the third apprentice with Kier engaged in Integrate’s targeted training and recruitment project. To keep up to date on the progress of the new Cardiff office and to find out how David is settling in onsite, remember to bookmark the blog as a favorite on your tool bar and come back soon!

Clare-Integrate

Welsh housing consortium Integrate launch trainee recognition awards

Welsh housing consortium Integrate launch trainee recognition awards

An awards scheme to recognise the achievements of apprentices and trainees has been launched by Integrate – a consortium of seven Welsh housing associations and national property services provider, Apollo,

The placements or trainees will be taking part in the housing associations’ targeted recruitment and training schemes (TR & T) delivered by the Integrate consortium. These schemes aim to lever employment and training opportunities from planned development contracts and support local people back into work.

The ‘Recognition Awards‘ will be given to trainees working for any member of the consortium or its contractors, in recognition of their commitment to progression. This might include excellent attendance, positive attitude or perhaps going that extra mile in the course of their work.

The recognition awards, which can be given any time during their placement, will reward trainees with incentives to help reduce barriers to work, and which will further facilitate their journey into employment or training. This might include help towards the purchase of driving lessons, work wear, tools or bus and rail passes.

Michelle Smith Project Manager with Integrate said; “These awards are a great way to acknowledge progression; with the result further helping to break any potential barriers to the participants continuing to pursue employment. We are looking forward to working with Apollo and to celebrating with trainees.”

Integrate and Apollo welcomes nominations from all contractors working within the consortium who are currently hosting an apprentice or trainee.

Apollo’s Regional Director for Wales, Daren Moseley, added: “Apollo has always been a great advocate of apprenticeships and training, and these new Recognition Awards provide a new way of ensuring that apprentices or trainees are rewarded for their hard work and given extra motivation to develop within their roles. The incentives given will also give the trainees practical help to allow people to progress further in their roles.”

For further information, please contact Clare Parry, Integrate Project Coordinator, on 07554 415846 or email cparry@uwha.co.uk

Clare-Integrate

Another year, another successful charity bike ride with thanks to sponsors A S Wellington Property Services!

Every year Shelter Cymru organise a charity bike ride from Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium to the Eiffel Tower in Paris, raising key funds to support their vision that everyone is entitled to a decent home in Wales. Covering 370 miles in just 4 days, over £25,000 was raised for Shelter Cymru, with each cyclist raising in excess of £1,500!

A S Wellington generously donated a number of personalised cyclist jackets for participants to wear during the ride. First tenors Wyn Davies and Ben Smith from the Welsh choir Only Men Aloud, set off from the Millennium Stadium alongside 13 men and women aged 20 to 62, all sporting the bright red jacket. Managing Director of AS Wellington Property Services Anthony Thomas commented, “We are really pleased to be supporting the riders during this years bike ride. Its great to be involved in raising funds for such a worth cause that provides services to people in housing need across Wales.”

Clare-Integrate

Exciting new eco housing development in Penarth!

Elfed Avenue, Penarth
Newydd Housing Association & Leadbitter Homes

Newydd Housing Association and Leadbitter Homes are currently in the process of constructing an exciting new eco friendly development in Elfed Avenue, Penarth. The residential development consisting of four town houses, each with four bedrooms will be available for social rent via Homes4U. Built to Code for Sustainable Homes level 5, the development is one of just a few selected housing developments that will provide a number of sustainable homes across Wales as part of a unique pilot project by the Welsh Government.
Paul Roberts, Chief Executive of Newydd, said: “This is a flagship scheme that will showcase the latest eco friendly technology available. We look forward to offering these homes for rent.” Newydd has incorporated some of the latest available eco friendly technologies into development plans. These new homes will include photovoltaic panels on a pitched roof, airtight construction, enhanced insulation, low energy lighting and super energy efficient boilers. Tenants living at the Elfed Avenue development will not only contribute to environmental sustainability, but may also gain financial benefits. The energy efficient boilers and photovoltaic panels will provide low energy heating and electricity all year round which will provide financial savings when compared to more conventional heating methods.
Working in conjunction with Newydd and Leadbitter, the Integrate Targeted Training and Recruitment (TR&T) team are currently liaising with CSkills to source two Pathway to Apprenticeship (PtA) participants. The bricklaying and carpentry placements being offered by Leadbitter will provide a fantastic opportunity for two young learners to engage in valuable pre apprenticeship training. Following completion of the Elfed Avenue site, the participants will be transferred over to Leadbitter’s Albert Walk site with Taff Housing Association in Canton, Cardiff.
Make sure you stay tuned to the blog to keep updated on site progress and to meet the two successful Pathway to Apprenticeship participants, over the coming weeks! Clare-Integrate