TRADING UP - Willmott Dixon

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learning a trade. “We had talks at school ... TRADING UP ... Likewise we have provided hundreds of school leavers ....
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WILLMOTT DIXON | BUILDING FUTURES

A CLEAR FOCUS Joe Oxley, a 17-year-old, secondyear apprentice electrician from Barnsley, was very clear about what he wanted to do long before he left school – his heart was set on going straight into work and learning a trade. “We had talks at school about further learning in general, including about full-time college courses and apprenticeships”, says Joe. “I’d thought about an apprenticeship before we were given the talk and what I heard confirmed this was absolutely the right route for me.” Joe decided to apply to Willmott Dixon, which he says was a very straightforward process. After a group day at the company’s training centre in Birmingham, he was invited to an interview in Rotherham. “This was my first interview for my first job so I felt a bit nervous but I was called back for a second interview. When I heard I’d been accepted I was over the moon!” “Being given an opportunity to follow the path I wanted is fantastic”, he says. “I’m very lucky to be on one of the best schemes and I really enjoy it. I’m gaining experience and earning my own money, which is how I like it, and I’ve got a secure job until I complete my apprenticeship, and hopefully beyond that.” Joe also appreciates being able to learn from those he works with. “Everyone is willing to share knowledge, and having a mentor to show you how to do things makes a big difference. That way I always know when I am doing something right, and just as importantly, why it’s right.” Currently working towards an NVQ level 3 in electrical installation, Joe spends one day a week at college. “Willmott Dixon

is very supportive and has made it their business to develop really good communications with my college so they are always aware of my learning demands.” He also hopes to gain more qualifications in the future. “The company is really good about providing the help you need to get more skilled at your job. Everyone benefits.”

BUILDING FUTURES IN ROTHERHAM

“Being given an opportunity to follow the path I wanted is fantastic”

TRADING UP

FOUR APPRENTICES ON THE ROAD TO A BRIGHTER FUTURE Willmott Dixon is a privately owned contracting, residential development and property support company. Being a large company means we have the scale to create a huge and lasting positive impact on our society. This is not only done through what we build and maintain - it’s achieved through the fantastic efforts of all our people who make a major contribution to enhancing their local communities. In 2014, this contribution saw us become the only company in our sector to win a Queen’s Award for Enterprise for sustainable development.

Making an impact with Opening Doors Opening Doors is our gateway to work for dozens of young people. Each year we provide 25,000 hours of work experience to nearly 300 teenagers, giving them an opportunity to get involved and make an impact in the workplace. Every one is guaranteed an interview for an apprenticeship, and since the programme’s launch, more than 30 have gone on to become apprentices and gain full-time employment. Follow us on Twitter @WillmottDixon Visit www.willmottdixon.co.uk

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WILLMOTT DIXON | BUILDING FUTURES

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WILLMOTT DIXON | BUILDING FUTURES

DETERMINED TO SUCCEED BUILDING FUTURES IN ROTHERHAM As someone who lives in Maltby, I’m proud of the contribution Willmott Dixon has made to Rotherham’s future through our programme of work placements and apprenticeships. Since we started providing repairs and maintenance to over 12,000 homes in the town, we’ve been able to up-skill 22 local people who joined as apprentices and now work for us to serve their local community. Likewise we have provided hundreds of school leavers with work experience to help them find long-term employment. This is important to us as it’s our goal to improve the social fabric of the society where we deliver our day-to-day work. We want to enhance people’s lives – not with gimmicks or box-ticking exercises, but with tangible initiatives that support skills and job prospects.

It’s our goal to improve the social fabric of the society where we deliver our day-to-day work”

Our aspiration is to give people in Rotherham an opportunity to realise their potential, and the stories of Danny, Damien, Kevin and Joe shows what is possible when those opportunities arise. They are an inspiration for others who will follow in their footsteps. By literally Building Futures, we provide hope for people who left school with little or no qualifications but have bundles of energy and ambition. The talent is there – we want to nurture, support and develop it!

For Damien Marsen, a 30-year old, third-year apprentice electrician from Maltby, being taken on by Willmott Dixon came at just the right time. After working in steelworks for eight years, he was determined to move into a different career. “A lot of the time I was working away and I wanted a job where I could go home every day,” he says. Damien had long been interested in electrics and he decided to study full time for an NVQ level 2 in electrical engineering, which he paid for himself. He thought that he would have no problem getting a job, but with no experience he was continually turned down. Although he didn’t hold out much hope of being accepted, he

A SENSE OF SECURITY

I hope you enjoy reading how we are creating a lasting impact on lives and leaving a legacy of opportunity in Rotherham.

Mick Williamson Managing director Willmott Dixon Partnerships

FAST FACTS

22

The number of apprentices employed in Rotherham since 2010

10

The number of apprentices currently learning a skill

3

The number of apprentices that Willmott Dixon will employ this year

Most popular apprentice trades: plastering, tiling, plumbing, carpentry, groundworks, brickwork

applied for an apprenticeship with Willmott Dixon and was thrilled when he was taken on. “It was a great opportunity and really good timing. No-one else would give me a chance to have a go at electrics at my age and I’m really grateful to the company.” Damien is at college one day a week studying for an NVQ level 3 as well maths, English and

ICT to GCSE-equivalent levels – a requirement for those who have been out of school for five or more years. “Willmott Dixon has been really good about these extra studies”, he says, “and have offered me more time at college if I need it. My mentor is fantastic too. I’ve got quite severe dyslexia and he always helps me when I’m struggling. If it wasn’t for him I’d be far behind.” “Sometimes work and college can be challenging”, he adds, “but I’m gaining confidence and want to challenge myself even more. The company always provides opportunities to better yourself and progress in your career.” “It’s a fantastic company to work for and it’s the best decision I’ve ever made.”

Kevin Bell, 24, from Rawmarsh is a single dad with a six-year old son. He had worked in the construction sector since leaving school, doing jobs ranging from roofing to groundworks. “I was self-employed and always chasing jobs and money,” he says. “What I wanted was secure, regular income and to learn one trade properly.” When he spotted bricklaying and electrician apprenticeships on offer at Willmott Dixon he decided to apply. “I decided to

go for both as I didn’t want to miss out on an opportunity for a qualification. Things turned out well though as I was accepted as an apprentice bricklayer.” Going to college at 22 was a bit strange at first, but Kevin quickly fitted in. “We were all aiming for the same goal, and being that little bit older and with construction experience, I could help younger people if they were struggling. It

“Willmott Dixon couldn’t have looked after me any better and I can’t praise the company enough”

was nice to be able to do that.” Kevin believes that being an apprentice is a great learning opportunity at any age. “Willmott Dixon couldn’t have looked after me any better and I can’t praise the company enough”, he says. “As well as having the security I wanted, I now come home at a reasonable and regular time, and I’m able to spend a lot more time with my son.” As to the future, Kevin is hoping for a long career with Willmott Dixon. “I really enjoy my work and I want to carry on improving my bricklaying skills. But I know that opportunities are available in the company and if further down the line I’m seen as having potential to do other things, it would be foolish not to take the chance to develop.”

WILLMOTT DIXON | BUILDING FUTURES

WORTH WAITING FOR Danny Essex from Rotherham was Willmott Dixon’s Apprentice of the Year in 2012 and Highly Commended at the 2013 Barnsley and Rotherham Business Awards. Now 46 and a qualified, multi-skilled building maintenance operative, he had wanted to do an apprenticeship since leaving school. With few opportunities available at the time, he did a course in motor mechanics then was promptly offered work at a local fruit and vegetable market. When the business closed five years later, Danny did all kinds of short-term jobs, but what he wanted was stable work all year round, and at 33 he went back into education to gain a qualification. After a general education and access to a university course, he completed two-thirds of a software engineering course at Sheffield Hallam University. By this time he had four children and supporting them financially took precedence so he left to go back into work. Still intent on gaining a skill, he took a job in facilities management working evenings and weekends, while during the day he took a two-year, full-time college course in plumbing. “It wasn’t easy but I was determined to support my family and carry on learning and improving. My own childhood was very tough and I wanted to give my children the best start in life that I could.”

With a plumbing qualification under his belt, he started looking for a daytime job, and when he saw an advertisement for a Willmott Dixon apprenticeship, he was encouraged to apply by a college tutor. “I was very fortunate to be accepted and I grabbed the opportunity with both hands,” he says. “Willmott Dixon is wonderful with its apprentices and we are all incredibly lucky. I love the work, I love

coming to work and I’ve never looked back.” Danny firmly believes that you can’t beat an apprenticeship – so much so that he’s taken a Construction Ambassador course and regularly gives talks on apprenticeships in the community. “I would advise anyone considering training to go for one. It’s given me the best training and the best qualifications.”