Integrate consortia continues to support local Welsh Charities

****Press Release ****

The Integrate Targeted Recruitment and Training project which supports local communities through the creation of employment and training opportunities, also actively supports local third sector organisations in delivering other community benefits. Utilising the power of consortia, Integrate has supported Welsh homeless charity Llamau, who are currently renovating a terraced house in Cardiff, with generous donations of materials. The refurbished terraced house in Cathays will become home to five young people in the summer, providing a stepping stone from supported accommodation towards independent living.
The property currently undergoing renovation by Newman Builders features five bedrooms, two bathrooms, a living room, a large kitchen/diner and an outdoor area, combines period features with modern bright and airy space. Materials valued at over £3,000 have been donated to Llamau through Integrate by local contractors who are working with member housing associations. Donations include; Mira – Electric shower Keepmoat - Worcester Bosh combi boiler Robert Price - 50 litres of matt vinyl paint and15 sq metre's (730units) of white tiles Sonic Windows - Front Door Willis Construction – Kitchen and worktops.

Integrate member United Welsh Housing Association also heavily contributed to project; locating a suitable house, arranging surveys and purchase together with providing all the pre and post contract roles for no cost. In addition, United Welsh encouraged their preferred Architect, Engineer, and Quantity Surveyor to reduce their fees as a gesture of goodwill.

Below: Like most rooms, the transformation of bedroom one is steadily taking shape

 Above: Photo taken in March 2012

 Above: Photo taken in June 2012

Llamau Chief Executive - Frances Beecher commented; “we are totally overwhelmed with the generosity and support the Integrate contractors have shown to Llamau’s young people. The things they have donated will not only create a beautiful and high quality home for the young people involved, but demonstrates that they are supported and valued by others, something they haven’t always experienced in the past. This exciting project, supported wholeheartedly by everyone involved, will provide young tenants with an optimum environment from which they can begin to live independently and as fully participating members of their community.” Llamau will offer a friendly landlord service to the five young people, who, as a result of their previous support from Llamau will already have significantly improved independent living skills. The strength of this project is that it mirrors the more gradual route to independence offered by shared accommodation, and when theyfeel ready, they will be able to move on to their own independent tenancies.

Job opportunity- Management Trainee - Jehu Project Services

JOB SPECIFICATION


POSITION : Management Trainee

RESPONSIBLE TO : Site Manager /Project Manager

COMMENCE :       July/August 2012

HOURS : 8.00am – 5.00 pm

SALARY : £9 – 14k (depending on experience)

LOCATION : Cardiff, Swansea and surrounding areas

Duties

*Take instruction from the Line Manager.
* Learn and actively promote good site practice in connection with Health & Safety
* Learn and understand site administration and documentation
* Assist in scheduling of materials
* Assist Site Engineer in his duties
* Spend time with QS, estimating and Construction Departments
* Continual progression to develop management skills including college studies.
* Assist in Co-ordination of sub-contractors and materials
* Promote and achieve a high standard of cleanliness for site and accommodation
* Assist others in their roles.


Primary Objectives

*Attend College to complete formal qualifications in Construction
*Develop an understanding of construction methods and techniques
*Develop an understanding of the financial constraints in construction
*Develop an understanding of Construction Health & Safety requirements and Standards
*Learn how to successfully co-ordinate all Sub-Contractors and Suppliers
*Maintain accurate and timely site records and detailed correspondence with Client, Designers,
Sub-Contractors and Suppliers
*Assist to ensure all aspects of the work are programmed, planned and resourced adequately
*Fully develop an understanding of project documentation.



Supporting Priorities

*Maintain and enhance Jehu Project Services’ reputation and always portray them in a positive
light
*Adopt a caring, professional approach towards ensuring good Client, Consultant, Sub Contractor and Supplier relationships
*Have basic understanding of contract
*Be presentable.


Performance Measures

*Attendance and successful completion of college courses
*Positive feedback from Line Manager and Department manager

*Completion of successful periodic personnel development reviews.

 

Requirements

* Education - to hold minimum of 4 GCSE to at least grade c, of which 3 must be Maths, English & a Science – it is imperative that the candidate is able to enrol on a BTEC Ordinary National Diploma in Building Studies or similar

*Ability to take and carry out clear instructions from your peers

* Ability to work on own initiative with enthusiasm and drive to succeed in Construction Management

*A team player

*Good attendance/time keeping/health record

*Full driving licence or provisional and working towards gaining full licence

*Experience is not essential

>To apply, please email your CV and a cover letter outlining why you feel you would be suitable
for the post to Clare Parry – cparry@uwha.co.uk by Friday 5.30pm 15th June 2012.

Clare-Integrate

Taff tenants delighted with allotment makeover - Integrate contractors generously donate time and over £8,000 of materials

A full-scale action day to transform a once derelict allotment site has been hailed a success by plot holders, demonstrating the power a partnership approach through consortia can have on community investment. More than 50 people attended the Taff Housing Allotment Action Day on May 29th to help construct a pond, build a fruit cage and plant up new raised timber beds.

Taff Housing took on five allotment plots in early 2011, facing a mammoth task to remove a wilderness of marsh grass and tonnes of dumped rubbish. With support from Integrate contractors through the donation of materials and time, the plots have been transformed into an amazing project, with tenants growing their own fresh vegetables for the first time. Taff has been busy developing new social housing sites in Cardiff – and key contractors involved kindly pitched in to provide much needed facilities.
On the action day, staff from construction group Leadbitter planted up five new raised beds donated by the company, which will be used by disabled and low mobility tenants to enjoy planting and picking produce. Developer M&J Cosgrove also pitched in with their staff landscaping a new pond area for tenants to enjoy. Building firm mi-space also came up trumps, donating a fruit cage, which has been planted up with currants and berry bushes to harvest later in the year. Taff’s maintenance contractor GKR has been busy installing fencing, gates and footpaths, which have made a massive improvement to the site access.

Above: Leadbitter community investment staff and apprentices filling the five raised timber beds donated by the construction group, with a variety of crops

Above: GKR have installed a number of wide access paths improving access across the site

Above: Gary Cosgrove, Director of M&J Cosgrove enjoyed getting stuck in alongside tenants

Taff Housing Chief Executive Elaine Ballard personally thanked all the contractors for their sterling efforts to transform the site. Allotment group chairman Fanwell Tandi said: “On behalf of the Taff Community Allotment Group, I would like to convey my sincere gratitude to the magnificent work all the contractors have done for our allotment. “What was 12 months ago, a derelict piece of land, has been given a facelift and turned into a magnificent garden and recreation centre for the tenants.”

If you would like to get involved in a community project as part of your commitment to community investment and targeted recruitment and training, please get in touch:

Clare Parry

Project Coordinator
Integrate  
e-mail: cparry@uwha.co.uk
Mobile: 07554 415846

Meeting the Pathways to Apprenticeship participants at Elfed Avenue, Penarth

Above: PtA student James and site Manager Vernon

Back in March, you may remember reading the blog post about Newydd’s new eco-development currently being erected by Leadbitter on Elfed Avenue Penarth (http://integratetrt.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/exciting-new-eco-housing-development-in.html)
As promised, we have been back on site to meet the two new Pathways to Apprenticeship participants. Currently studying NVQ2 Bricklaying at Cardiff and Vale College, James Petryna and Liam Shioda have been given the opportunity to develop their eco construction skill set, laying the bricks of the four homes that are being built to Code 5 during a five week placement.
James Petryna, 22, from Cardiff has a wide range of experience on his CV including property maintenance and kitchen fitting, however he has always been keen on developing a career in bricklaying. “I’ve wanted to do bricklaying for the last two years, but was worried it would be difficult to get the experience I would need for a job. I have received lots of support from Leadbitter's Community Engagement Coordinator Nicole, Site Manager Vernon, SJB Bricklaying and the Integrate project. I am now hoping to secure an apprenticeship following this placement.”
Lewis Shioda, 19 also from Cardiff has also enjoyed the opportunity to work on the site. Lewis commented “I wanted to understand more about green technologies, so I jumped at the chance to be involved in the placement organised through the Integrate project. I am particularly interested with the joint system of a Code 5 home and working with a different brick. I have heard that there is a shortage of tradesmen with green technology experience, so I am glad I can add this to my CV.”
The Welsh Government are supporting young learners aged between 16 – 24 years of age through intensive training to put them on the pathway to becoming an apprentice. This means that a group of young people, pre-trained and with a track record of turning up on time, are now ready to become productive Apprentices.

If you can offer James or Liam a bricklaying apprenticeship, please contact: the Integrate team Michelle Smith msmith@uwha.co.uk or Clare Parry cparry@uwha.co.uk

Clare-Integrate

Apprenticeship Opportunity - Painting and Decorating with Willis Construction

Willis Construction was formed in 1986 and has developed a strong reputation as a skilled and trusted building contractor for all of its core services of new build, major refurbishments and planned maintenance.
Due to on-going successes with planned maintenance frameworks, Willis Construction is recruiting a motivated painting and decorating apprentice to work on a range of projects for a number of its housing association clients. The successful candidate will commence with the company in May 2012 gaining experience ready to enrol in Cardiff Construction College in September.

Eligibility

Are you:
* looking to become fully qualified in the painting and decorating trade?
* a motivated, enthusiastic team player looking for a rewarding career with a company named on the National Apprenticeship Service’s roll of honor?
* looking for a full time (8am-4.30pm) paid position that meets apprenticeship national minimum wage -£2.60 p/h for 16-19yrs old, £4.98 p/h for 20-21 yrs old and £6.08 for aged over 21.
* able to start in post ASAP?

Do you have:
* at least three A-C grade GSSE’s (including English and Maths)? (essential)
* a full clean UK driving license? (essential)
* a valid CSCS card? (desirable)


If the answer is YES to all of the above, please email your CV to
Clare Parry cparry@uwha.co.uk by 20th April 2012.


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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.

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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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