Employability

Best Practice Case Study

Building Futures
In May 2009, Wates delivered a Building Futures programme in Didsbury, South Manchester. We sourced 9 local unemployed people - through Welfare to Work provider Working Links - to participate in the two week programme. We also partnered with Skills Solutions, a local college provider specialising in practical construction trade training courses. Skills Solutions

delivered four days of practical training at their college site in plastering, bricklaying, joinery and tiling. Programme partner, Working Links, delivered the ‘soft skills’ training such as CV writing and interview skills and Wates’ own in-house team delivered training in health and safety, first aid and IT.

ILM Scheme
During the Building Futures programme, Working Links offered us the opportunity to participate in the Intermediate Labour Market (ILM) scheme. This scheme is a 13 week

government paid placement, which provides employers with the opportunity to host a placement, observe the candidates in a working environment and ultimately prepare them for the offer of employment. We approached our local supply chain who agreed to take part in the programme, and then selected 5 individuals to move forward onto the ILM scheme. The 13 week placement consisted of the following:

• 30 hours per week for the first 4 weeks
• The following 9 weeks included 6 hours ‘ready for work’ training carried out by Wates and Working Links.
• Candidates were paid minimum wage (through Working Links) and some were still entitled to benefit payments.
• Trades included, Joinery, Plastering, Plumbing, Tiling, Decorating and Flooring (minimum2weeks per trade)

Apprenticeship Training Academy
The scheme was extremely successful, with all of the individuals moving on to an Apprenticeship with Wates supply chain. Wates organised for 3 of the individuals to access

the Apprenticeship Training Academy (ATA) with Skills Solutions. An ATA acts as a recruitment agency, moving apprentices around and placing them with ‘host’ employers in order to complete their training.

Case Study: Patrick Sheridan
Patrick had been unemployed for over 20 years, giving up work in order to look after his grandchildren, allowing his daughter and her husband to work and provide for the family. Now that the children have grown up, Patrick who is in his 50’s was very worried about seeking employment, thinking that due to his age, he would be disadvantaged.

Patrick thoroughly enjoyed the Building Futures programme and placement scheme and showed potential as a painter and decorator. Patrick was taken on as an apprentice by

Dave Luck Ltd and also signed up to the ATA scheme. Patrick is still working in his local area, with another contractor and is an inspiration to others demonstrating ‘It’s never too late’ to get back into employment.

Categories: CR, people, national, north west

Tags: apprenticeships, building futures, ILM scheme