Bright Sparks Trade Places

Published by New Charter for New Charter Housing Trust Group in Housing

A pair of electricians are switching places in a pilot project run by two North West housing associations.

Trafford Housing Trust and New Charter are working in partnership on an innovative ‘job swap’ venture.

The aim of the initiative is to exchange trades skills and share best practice. It may lead to new staffing solutions, for example, if either housing provider needs help with holiday cover or due to employee sickness.

The two electricians have ‘traded places’ for a two week period, from the 9thto the 20th May.

Carolyn Corcoran, a Repairs Operative with Trafford Housing Trust, and Kevin Kennedy, a Day-to-Day electrician at New Charter, are charged up to help pioneer the project.

Carolyn joined Trafford Housing Trust more than three years ago. She was over two years into training as a Registered General Nurse when she decided to change career paths and take up a trade skill.

Kevin has worked with New Charter for five years. He joined the company after a 20-year stint at Manchester Council and has been an electrician since 1975.

The pair’s carbon footprints have been taken into account as part of the pilot scheme, Carolyn lives in Ashton-under-Lyne, where New Charter is based, and Kevin lives in Urmston, part of Trafford Housing Trust’s patch.

Matthew Gardiner, Trafford Housing Trust’s Chief Executive, said: “We are always looking at ways to do things differently to drive best practice in housing.  We are delighted to be conducting this innovative project with New Charter as our partners.”

Ian Munro, New Charter Housing Trust Group’s Chief Executive, added:   “Sometimes the only reason for doing something in a certain way is just because it has always been done that way. But schemes like this allow us to see our own working practices through a fresh pair of eyes. This is a great opportunity to learn from Trafford Housing Trust whilst sharing our own expertise at the same time.”