Maintenance contract provides career boost for apprentices

Published by Kelly Elliott for Keepmoat in Housing and also in Communities

Five Yorkshire teenagers have got their first foot on the career ladder thanks to a partnership between a local housing association and a building contractor.

The youngsters have been taken on as apprentices by housing and regeneration company Keepmoat, which has just been awarded a four year Responsive Repairs and Maintenance contract with Accent Foundation.

The apprenticeships, which are in Maintenance Operations, were organised through Accent Regeneration and Community Partnerships, which provides employment and training opportunities for people living in the communities in which Accent Foundation works.

For 18-year-old Declan Holland, the apprenticeship will provide the opportunity to learn new skills and establish a career within the construction and maintenance industry.

He said: “I am really pleased to have been given this opportunity as I was uncertain about my future before. Since joining Keepmoat I have settled in well, the team are very helpful, I am learning lots and getting great advice and experience.”

The contract awarded to Keepmoat will see the company carrying out repairs and maintenance to Accent Foundation properties throughout Yorkshire, as well as across the North East.

Having provided the service for the last six years, Keepmoat Managing Director, Mike Edwards said he is confident the company can continue to provide the same high level of service.

He said: “We are delighted to have been awarded the contract and look forward to continuing to work with Accent Foundation over the coming years.

“We are committed to supporting the communities in which we work so are pleased to have been able to take on the five new apprentices to help us carry out the work involved as part of the new contract.

“The apprenticeships not only provide the young people with an opportunity to learn a trade, but also benefit Keepmoat by welcoming these enthusiastic and hardworking young people to our team here in Yorkshire and the North East.”

Claire Stone, Managing Director for Accent Foundation, said: “The contract award demonstrates our commitment to improving our services to our residents, and to providing employment opportunities in our communities.

“We have worked hard to identify those areas we feel will add most value to our residents, and we have tailored this particular contract to show clear improvements. We look forward to a successful partnership over the next two years”

The Responsive Repairs and Maintenance contract, which has an annual value of approximately £3m, will run for two years with the option to then extend it for a further two.

Leading up to the commencement of the new contract in April 2013, Keepmoat and Accent Foundation are working in partnership to develop the service for the benefit of Accent residents across Yorkshire and the North East.