Salford students encouraged to apply for local apprenticeship vacancies

Regeneration and construction company Emanuel Whittaker is looking to recruit local apprentices to work on a multi-million pound regeneration project in Salford.

Next week is National Apprenticeship Week (March 9-13) and Emanuel Whittaker has been talking to Carpentry and Joinery and Maintenance students at Salford City College to encourage them to apply for apprenticeship roles on offer.

Salix Homes has recently appointed Emanuel Whittaker as one of the principal contractors to deliver our £22million investment programme over the next two years.

As part of the ambitious investment scheme, which will see 2,200 homes undergo much-needed improvements, two local apprentices will be employed for every £1million invested.

Consequently, Emanuel Whittaker is looking to employ a further four trainees to join its current seven Salix Homes apprentices.

Lee Bradbury, Health Safety and Environment Manager at Emanuel Whittaker said: We already have a close working relationship with Salford City College and I have been talking to students about the benefits of apprenticeships with Emanuel Whittaker.

In 2014, Emanuel Whittaker made The Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers List which is compiled annually by the National Apprenticeship Service in partnership with City & Guilds. It recognises excellence in those businesses that employ apprentices and that can prove an exceptional contribution to apprenticeships.

The two-year investment programme is the first phase of a £75million project over the next five years made possible thanks to tenants voting to transfer ownership of their homes from Salford City Council to Salix Homes.

Mark Foster, head of property services at Salix Homes, said: Salix Homes is investing significantly in Salford thanks to tenants voting to transfer their homes to us, so we are working closely with our partner contractors to create as many employment and training opportunities for local people as possible.

“The housing industry provides a fantastic opportunity for young people to learn and gain new skills and our apprentices will play a vital role in the delivery of our ambitious investment programme.

We’ve already had lots of young people who have gone through successful apprenticeships and secured permanent employment with us and our contractor partners. Emanuel Whittaker has an excellent track record in this field and we look forward to welcoming the new trainees.

Salix Homes and Emanuel Whittaker are committed to developing local training opportunities as government figures show that 90% of apprentices stay in employment after finishing their apprenticeship and 83% said their ability to do the job and their career prospects had improved.

The recruitment drive was very positive and new appointments are likely to be announced in May.

To find out more about apprenticeship opportunities available at Salix Homes call Jackie Crook on 0161 779 8966 or email jackie.crook@salixhomes.org.