Chipping away at the skills shortage

A Wakefield based joinery firm’s team is feeling chipper, after scooping an award for its commitment to skills, training and local employment.

Joinery Direct, established in 2005, has been awarded sub-contractor of the quarter, by Sheffield Housing Company (SHC) for the work at the Pennine Village development, which has been built by delivery partner Keepmoat.

SHC is Sheffield City Council’s joint venture development company with private developer and top 10 housebuilder Keepmoat and Great Places Housing. Established in 2011 it has an ambitious target of building 2,300 properties on a total of 23 sites by the end of 2026.

Every three months, the council monitors the performance of SHC’s subcontractors – with a focus on the employment and training opportunities they provide. These could be work placements, apprenticeships, training and educational programmes and the number of jobs created.

Joinery Direct has provided more than 15 training and employment opportunities for people in Sheffield. This includes the recruitment of apprentice Thomas Hewitt, 19, who has achieved an NVQ level 2 in carpentry and joinery and is now working towards his level 3 qualification.

He said: “I’ve really enjoyed the experience and teaching I’ve received during the first years of my apprenticeship and look forward to continuing to work towards my level 3 qualification.”

Joinery Direct has over 45 employees and works with a large variety of clients throughout Yorkshire, providing joinery services for new build, residential and social housing projects. The business prides itself on the quality of its work and in training the next generation of joiners to the very highest of standards.

The award was presented to the business’ Joinery Supervisor, John Howarth, at SHC’s Eclipse development, by SHC Development Manager, Howard Young.

He said: “This is a really rewarding part of my role, recognising businesses that support SHC’s objectives and help us to deliver our projects. As an organisation our ethos is about improving housing choice in the city, whilst also investing in the region by supporting local supply chains and businesses. This in turn creates opportunities for individuals like Thomas, to acquire new skills and employment.”

Councillor Douglas Johnson, Chair of the Housing Policy Committee at Sheffield City Council, added: “SHC thrives when working in partnership with great organisations and we’re pleased to add Joinery Direct to the list of subcontractor award winners – in recognition of their excellent performance. Well done to all involved.”

SHC is committed to supporting organisations, communities and individuals within the city. To date, working with its partnering organisations, it has delivered 75 apprenticeships and contributed over £50,000 to local community groups, schools and good causes.