Consortia approach - Management Trainee employed by local construction company as a direct result of Integrate member's commitment to targeted recruitment and training

 As a direct result of securing contracts with a number of Integrate housing association members, one of Wales' largest independently owned construction companies Jehu Project Services has recruited local lad Kieran, from Fairwater Cardiff, as their latest management trainee.

Above: Management Trainee Kieran will be working on a number of sites across the Integrate consortia, including Newydd Housing Association’s site in Barry where he will assist with the refurbishment of a previous derelict building to provide 9 new affordable rental apartments.

Founded by Jack Jehu in the early 1930's, Jehu is now one of Wales largest independently owned construction companies. Working on a number of new build and refurbishment contacts with Cadwyn Housing Association, Coastal Housing Group and Newydd Housing Association, Jehu were required to provide job and training opportunities as a core contractual requirement, giving back to the local community.

The prospect of working for an award winning contractor on a paid management traineeship attracted over fifty applicants, including tenants, Working Links clients, college students and a number of young people who were not in employment education or training. Kieran successful made it through the recruitment process, shining throughout at both interview and work trial stage where he spent a day on a live site finding out more about the position. From a young age Kieran knew he wanted a career in the construction industry, inspired by his father who has his own bricklaying business. Starting out as a general site labourer, Kieran progressed to become a Bricklayer which gave him the opportunity to gain his NVQ immediately after leaving school.  Representing his college in an advanced brickwork competition for the Guild of Bricklayers, Kieran came 2^nd place in Wales and top 5 in Britain! Kieran will spend time with the QS, estimating and construction departments developing his understanding of site documentation and processes, whilst actively promoting and achieving a high standard of health and safety at all times.  Keen to progress onto an HNC followed by an undergraduate degree in Construction Management, Kieran hopes to complete his second year Site Management OCN this year, ready to progress onto the next step of his career with support and funding from Jehu.  

To date, the Intergrate project has leveraged 388 employment and training opportunities totaling over 17,000 job and training weeks through adopting a core approach to community benefits to maximise the impact of the welsh pound through the Integrate Project.

Taff Community Allotment Video

Back in June, we blogged about Taff Housing Association's community allotment, following the generous donation of over £8,000 of materials from Intergrate contractors.
Please check out Taff TV to watch a short film of how the Allotment came to be. 

http://www.taffhousing.co.uk/tafftv

Six month employment contract created through Newydd's commitment to creating jobs and training opportunities for local job seekers

 

 

 

As a direct result of Newydd Housing Association’s commitment to targeted recruitment and training, a six month Multi-Skilled employment opportunity has been created on a new build housing development, located in the picturesque Vale of Glamorgan.

Robert, 33 from Tremorfa, is the latest recruit to join the team working on site at Newydd’s new build housing development, consisting of 8 homes, to include two adapted homes for disabled residents.  The development in the Herberts, Llanfair will assist local people to overcome the challenges of affordable housing in rural areas in the Vale. Committed to giving back to the local community through social clauses in procurement, Integrate member Newydd require contractors to meet a number of good practice employment and training requirements as a contractual requirement.

Liaising with the contractor Bullock Construction, it was agreed that a six month Muti-Skilled Operative post would be created, providing an unemployed young person the opportunity to develop their skill set and return to paid employment, with a competitive salary.  Following a successful recruitment process linking with government appointed work program provider ‘Working Links’, Robert started on site the following week. Head of Working Links Employer Services Ross Watts commented; “This is a great example of how using targeted recruitment and training clauses can significantly contribute to changing lives & creating more sustainable futures for people in the communities we work.  It’s hugely encouraging to see a housing association as prestigious as Newydd using their procurement power to leverage further community benefit. To make it a success It’s crucial to have the support and commitment of employers such as Bullock Construction so that meaningful job opportunities can be created and linked to unemployed people with the right skills for the job”

Today, I caught up with Robert, three days into his employment to find out how he was settling in on site. “So far it’s been really good. I’ve been out of work for several months and have constantly been applying for construction jobs both online and in person. I’ve even been dropping in to any live site I have seen, to introduce myself and hand over my CV, with no luck. I was really pleased when Working Links told me about this Multi-Skilled Operative job as I have a strong background in general laboring. I came for the interview last Thursday and was told the next day that I had been successful and Dave the site manager wanted me to start on the Monday. I couldn’t believe it!”

 

Above: Architects perspective of completed development

Image courtesy of Bullock Construction

 

Above: View of the site August 2012

Site Manger Dave Owen commented, “I have been very impressed with how smooth the recruitment process has gone and the quality of candidates received from Working Links via Integrate Project Coordinator Clare. Robert has a demonstrated a positive attitude and a passion for getting on with the job in hand whilst ensuring high standards and a safe working environment is maintained at all times.”

Robert who has City and Guilds Level 2 in Plumbing and a Diploma in Painting and Decorating explained that his dream job would be a gas plumber running his own business, but he lacks the onsite work experience to process onto Plumbing NQV level two. This is a common issue encountered by thousands of job seekers and college students. Without making targeted recruitment and training a core requirement within contracts, hundreds of potential openings are being passed by.

Paul Roberts, Chief Executive of Newydd said, “We are delighted that Robert has gained employment with our contractors Bullock following our commitment to the Targeted Recruitment and Training programme. It is clear that this position is making a difference to Robert and we wish him every success in his new role. We will continue to support the recruitment and training programme to ensure other apprentices get every chance of job security in the future.”

To date, Newydd has leveraged 14 employment and training opportunities with 9 different contractors, through adopting core approach to community benefits to maximise the impact of the welsh pound through the Integrate Project.  This full time six month contract will not only allow Robert to develop his skill set with a reputable contractor, but provide access to future employment and training opportunities. To date, the project has actively engaged with 388 participants of whom 93 are currently live on site in paid employment, apprenticeships and valuable work experience. Following completion of the six month period, the Integrate project team will seek further opportunities for Robert, particularly in the plumbing trade.

 

If you feel you are able to offer Robert a plumbing apprenticeship or employment in this field, please contact: Clare Parry: cparry@uwha.co.uk 07554 415846