Business : Training & Skills News

BBA appoints new Head of Test Services

The British Board of Agrément (BBA) is pleased to announce the appointment of new Head of Test Services Alvaro Enguita-Gonzalez as Head of the BBA Testing Unit, based in Watford, Hertfordshire. Alvaro is a chartered engineer with more than 20 years of experience in the construction industry. He previously held

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New apprentices building a bright future

Salford housing association Salix Homes has welcomed its newest cohort of apprentices into the fold. Salix Homes has five new apprentices, four of whom have joined its Repairs and Maintenance Service, while the fifth is learning the ropes in the Customer Service Team. Among the new recruits is 19-year-old Connor

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Skills shortage will hamper housing delivery, FMB research reveals

Small house builders predict that skills shortages in the building industry will hamper housing delivery and will eventually overtake access to finance as a bigger barrier to building new homes, according to new research by the Federation of Master Builders (FMB). Key results from the FMB’s House Builders’ Survey 2018,

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RLB STRENGTHENS HEALTHCARE EXPERTISE WITH THREE SENIOR APPOINTMENTS

Independent construction, property and management consultancy, Rider Levett Bucknall (RLB UK)  has announced the strengthening of its healthcare expertise with the appointment of three senior healthcare appointments. Stewart Binns joins RLB UK as a Partner from Turner & Townsend where he spent the last 14 years as a Director in

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Arriva Rail London Appoints New Concession Transformation Director

Arriva Rail London (ARL), which operates the London Overground on behalf of Transport for London (TfL), is pleased to announce the appointment of Alicia Andrews as the company’s new concession transformation director. “We’re incredibly pleased that Alicia has joined the Arriva Rail London team. Alicia brings great experience in leading

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IDOM Makes Strategic Appointment in the UK

IDOM (through its local branch IDOM Merebrook Ltd) is investing further in the field of asbestos management in the United Kingdom with the appointment of industry specialist Steve Hurst to spearhead the consultancy’s further business development in this area. The IDOM asbestos team has extensive experience of contaminated ground investigation,

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Outstanding Yorkshire Housing apprentices in awards shortlist

Muhammad Uddin and Isobel Moorhouse, two Yorkshire Housing apprentices, have fought off stiff competition to make the final shortlist for Yorkshire and Humber regional apprenticeship awards 2018. Both apprentices made the shortlist, which showcases the diverse range of sectors engaged with apprenticeships and celebrates outstanding apprentices, such as Muhammad and

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Latest Issue
Issue 323 : Dec 2024

Business : Training & Skills News

Employing Workers with Temporary Right to Work: Beware Immigration Compliance Risks!

If you have workers on the books with temporary visas or restricted rights to work in the UK, your business is exposed to additional immigration compliance risks, as immigration solicitor Anne Morris explains. To comply with your duties to prevent illegal working, every employee should be onboarded in line with Home Office requirements to ‘Obtain, Check and Record’ appropriate Right to Work documents. This means checking and keeping copies of original, acceptable documents before someone starts working for you and – something which many employers are not always fully aware of – carrying out repeat checks if a person has a time limit on their work permission. If you’re found to be in breach of these duties, you could be liable for a hefty civil penalty of up to £20,000 per illegal worker, and could potentially face criminal prosecution. Ensuring compliance across a sizeable workforce and multiple sites is challenging in itself, but when your employees hold varying immigration status, requiring document checks to be run at different intervals – the risk to your business multiplies. But the legislation is clear – you must at any one time be able to accurately confirm the working status of every employee in your organisation. Your duties when employing immigration-restricted workers The Home Office sets out two definitive lists of ‘acceptable’ documents that individuals are to present to employers to prove their right to work in the UK. An individual’s immigration status determines which list they need to refer to and which documentation they must present to you to verify they have the relevant permission to carry out the work on offer. List A applies to those with permanent right to work, such as UK nationals or those with Indefinite Leave to Remain. Production of a valid, original List A document is sufficient to establish you as an employer have met your duty for checking an employee’s right to work for the duration of their employment with you. No further right to work checks will be needed for this employee.   Employees with limited leave to remain or enter the UK, restricting the duration or type of activity permitted, are required to produce items from List B to evidence their identity and their employment authorisation. You will need to conduct compliance checks at least every 12 months on employees relying on List B documentation. The potential for List B employees’ working status to change during the course of employment creates an area of risk for employers, requiring close and careful management. A follow-up right to work check should result in one of the following: The employee presents items from List B confirming continued, limited right to work: the 12-month cycle starts again. Where an individual’s leave expires during the period of 12 months after the last check, you should carry out a check at the point of expiry to verify their continued right to work. If further List B documentation is provided, a repeat check will be required at 12 months. If you are presented with a List A document, you have met your duty for the duration of the person’s employment with you and you are no longer required to carry out annual checks on that employee. Employer Checking Service If an employee presents documents from ‘List B Group 2’, or the individual is unable to present any acceptable document from List 2 – because the individual is awaiting an application decision by the Home Office – contact the Employer Checking Service to receive a Positive Verification Notice from the Home Office, confirming the continued eligibility of the individual to work for the duration that their application is outstanding and until their visa is approved. Loss of right to work If you establish that an employee no longer has the right to work in the UK and you continue to employ that person, you become liable for a civil penalty and the criminal offence of knowingly employing an illegal worker. It is best to seek advice as soon as you become aware of an employee’s loss of permission before taking action. Instant dismissal of an employee who no longer has the right to work can in some cases give rise to employment law issues, such as unfair dismissal or discrimination claims, which will require navigation. Managing compliance business risks What can employers do to effectively manage their List B employees, and reduce the risk of non-compliance and threat of civil penalty without onerous drain on resource? Automate your systems The most effective approach to managing List B documents is through an automated solution to prompts for HR teams to check on the progress of employees’ outstanding application. Compliant record keeping Repeat checks on List B personnel should be recorded as per UKVI guidelines and synced with the original record. An effective solution will sync the data into your HR or payroll system immediately. Personnel training Ensuring those in your organisation responsible for recruiting and onboarding understand, follow process. Through training can be effective to ensure Be clear on employees’ duties Ensure your employees are aware of their duty to notify you of any change in their circumstances or working status, and the wider requirements on them to manage their status appropriately.   Anne Morris is an immigration solicitor and Managing Director at UK immigration law firm DavidsonMorris. specialists in all areas of business immigration including right to work compliance, PBS licences and challenging civil penalties.

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BBA appoints new Head of Test Services

The British Board of Agrément (BBA) is pleased to announce the appointment of new Head of Test Services Alvaro Enguita-Gonzalez as Head of the BBA Testing Unit, based in Watford, Hertfordshire. Alvaro is a chartered engineer with more than 20 years of experience in the construction industry. He previously held the role of Business Manager – Construction at Lucideon, a position which brought him into the testing and certification industry. He holds a degree in Construction Engineering from Valladolid University, Spain, and is a Chartered Construction Engineer at COITAG and member of the Chartered Management Institute. Alvaro’s career has taken him over many roles, all of which have given him experience across the full construction project life cycle, from building design to construction consultancy, product manufacturing, building surveying and construction management. He brings in-depth knowledge of the construction industry coupled with strong expertise in business management to his new role within BBA Test Services. The testing unit employs 21 people and performs more than 1,000 tests each year, either for BBA Certification, at the request of manufacturers bringing new construction products to market, or for those wishing to evaluate the technical performance of existing products. Alvaro said: “The BBA offers me the opportunity of working at the most respected testing, product approval and certification and assurance organisation in the UK. I am working alongside an incredible group of professionals, all dedicated to upholding the highest standards within the construction sector and developing services to better fulfill our clients’ needs and match the requirements of the industry.” BBA Commercial and Marketing Director Richard Beale said: “We are happy to have Alvaro join the team and believe his experience and vision will continue to grow the scope, influence and expertise of the BBA Test Unit.”

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New apprentices building a bright future

Salford housing association Salix Homes has welcomed its newest cohort of apprentices into the fold. Salix Homes has five new apprentices, four of whom have joined its Repairs and Maintenance Service, while the fifth is learning the ropes in the Customer Service Team. Among the new recruits is 19-year-old Connor Boyle who had all but given up hope after applying for job after job but never hearing back. New-dad Connor, from Kersal, who welcomed his daughter into the world in June, said: “When I found out I’d got it, I was over the moon. I just want the chance to make a future for myself and my daughter. “I’d applied for so many different jobs and apprenticeships and had never been successful. I’d given up hope, but Salix Homes has been so supportive and all the way through the recruitment process, they made me believe I could do it – and now I know I can.” Connor is embarking on a plumbing apprenticeship, following in his grandad’s footsteps, and will be learning the tools of the trade four days a week while spending a day in the classroom with education providers Total People, working towards an NVQ. Over the past three years Salix Homes has created more than 50 apprenticeship positions through its Earn as You Learn programme, both within the organisation and with its partner contractors. Sue Sutton, executive director of operations at Salix Homes, said: “We are incredibly proud to welcome our newest cohort of apprentices onto our successful Earn as You Learn apprenticeship programme, which is helping local people in Salford build themselves a bright future. “An apprenticeship is a fantastic route for not only the apprentice, but for Salix Homes as an employer too. They’re gaining essential skills and experience while getting paid, while for Salix Homes, we are providing opportunities for local people and building our workforce of the future. “Our latest apprentice cohort will also benefit from the expertise and guidance of a dedicated mentor who will provide one-on-one support throughout their apprenticeship journey.” The new apprentices joining Salix Homes’ Repairs and Maintenance Team have been provided with new toolkits from its partner building merchants – Travis Perkins Managed Services. Maggie Devine, social value manager for Travis Perkins Managed Services, said: “We are passionate about supporting apprentices coming into the industry, and hope that the provision of these new tools will support them on their journey to train in their chosen profession. We wish them the best of luck through their apprenticeship and their future career.”

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Skills shortage will hamper housing delivery, FMB research reveals

Small house builders predict that skills shortages in the building industry will hamper housing delivery and will eventually overtake access to finance as a bigger barrier to building new homes, according to new research by the Federation of Master Builders (FMB). Key results from the FMB’s House Builders’ Survey 2018, the only annual assessment of small and medium sized (SME) house builders in England, include: • The percentage of SME house builders saying that a shortage of skilled workers is a major barrier to their ability to build more new homes rose to 44% (up from 42% in 2017); • A lack of available and viable land tops the list as the most commonly cited barrier (59%) to increasing housing delivery and almost two-thirds of SME house builders (62%) believe that the number of opportunities for small site development are actually decreasing (up from 54% in 2017); • Nearly half of small house builders (46%) say access to finance is a major barrier to their ability to build more new homes; • More than half (51%) of SME house builders view the planning system as a major constraint on their ability to grow and ‘inadequate resourcing of planning departments’ was again rated as the most significant cause of delay in the planning application process for the third year in a row; • When asked to look ahead over the next three years, more firms cited skills shortages as a likely barrier to growth than access to finance. Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said: “Nearly half of builders believe the skills shortage is a major barrier to their ability to build new homes. The construction sector is heavily reliant on EU workers with just under one in ten workers in the sector born in the EU. Brexit, coupled with the end of free movement, threatens to further intensify the skills shortages we already face. Given that the UK will leave the EU in less than six months, house builders are understandably concerned that skills shortages could worsen and choke housing delivery. In order to combat this skills crisis, the construction industry needs to encourage more entrants into the industry and develop higher quality qualifications. It is critical therefore that the Government doesn’t pull the rug out from under the sector by introducing an inflexible and unresponsive immigration system.” Berry continued: “Our research also shows that the Government must continue to address the issue of access to finance for SME house builders. Although concerns over access to finance have eased slightly in recent years, in part thanks to the Government’s funding schemes such as the Home Building Fund, there is more that can be done. Our research suggests that it is the low percentages of project cost that builders are able to borrow that remain the greatest financial barrier to increasing their levels of house building. This latest research suggests that if firms were able to borrow 80 per cent, rather than the current 60 to 65 per cent of project cost, SME builders would be able to bring forward on average 40 per cent more new homes. Given the ambitious house building targets the Government is working towards, we cannot afford to ignore such a chance to significantly increase housing delivery.” Berry concluded: “A lack of available and viable small sites tops the list of frustrations for SME house builders for the fourth year in a row. Worse still, nearly two-thirds of these small builders believe that the number of opportunities for small site development are decreasing. However, the recent reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework, which specify that 10 per cent of a local authority’s housing delivery must be on sites no larger than one hectare, will help to address this problem. This will help to speed up the delivery of homes and lead to a more diverse and resilient housing supply.”

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The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) launches new course in construction quality management

The CIOB Academy is launching a brand new course focussed on managing and delivering quality in construction. This follows months of work by a Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) Commission of Past Presidents into the issue of build quality, and what practical steps can be taken to support delivery of quality construction and development projects. The Commission considered what the CIOB could do to promote a culture of quality in construction, focusing on potential solutions. One of the outcomes is the creation of the CIOB’s Construction Quality Management course. Chair of the Commission, CIOB Past President Paul Nash, said: “Last year the CIOB established a Commission to look into the issue of quality in our industry following a series of high profile failures. We urgently needed to understand what was preventing or promoting the delivery of quality at all stages of the construction process so that we could act to bring about the change that was so obviously needed. Our research highlighted that there was a need to raise standards across the industry. But more than this we needed to change the culture of our industry; we needed people to take pride in the buildings and infrastructure that they were creating. To achieve this, the CIOB has committed to provide practical advice and training to our members and the wider construction community. By creating and promoting the right culture and behaviours I do believe that our industry will change for the better.” Adrian Montague, Head of the CIOB Academy, said: “Poor quality is costing the industry annually more than the combined profits of companies in the industry1. Construction quality management can deliver customer satisfaction and value. Setting and meeting quality objectives requires a sound knowledge of processes, legislation and compliance – the core of our new course. We want to see a “get it right first time” approach embedded in the industry, which should prevent these unnecessary costs and improve customer retention. Quality management is as important to a company’s efficiency and reputation as meeting time and cost targets. Our new Construction Quality Management course comes from the extensive research conducted by the CIOB’s Quality Commission, and will cover all the fundamentals of construction quality management.” Those attending the two-day course will gain an understanding of widely-used quality management systems, and will be given the tools to initiate quality management on their own projects and, ultimately, work towards achieving quality on every programme. By the end of the course, participants will be able to: Understand the fundamentals of quality management for a project-based industry Demonstrate knowledge of the theories, principles and processes in quality management Recognise the differences between quality control and quality management Apply quality management best practice in construction in terms of both processes and attitudes The first course dates are 14 and 15 November 2018. Venue: CIOB’s London office, Kingsway, WC2B 6XF. Cost: £549. More information: https://www.ciobacademy.org/product/construction-quality-management/

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RLB STRENGTHENS HEALTHCARE EXPERTISE WITH THREE SENIOR APPOINTMENTS

Independent construction, property and management consultancy, Rider Levett Bucknall (RLB UK)  has announced the strengthening of its healthcare expertise with the appointment of three senior healthcare appointments. Stewart Binns joins RLB UK as a Partner from Turner & Townsend where he spent the last 14 years as a Director in the Project Management team and was the National Health and Higher Education lead.  Stewart had a major portfolio of projects across the public sector including clients such as the University of Leeds, University of Huddersfield, York NHS Trust and the Yorkshire & York PCT. He is nationally known for his work in risk management and structuring effective procurement solutions. Georgie Whitham joins RLB’s London team from Capita and brings an analytical skillset which includes activity modelling, simulation and strategic data mapping. Georgie has worked with a variety of healthcare organisations including commissioners, providers, regulators and social enterprises. Her expertise has been applied to a wide range of schemes from new build multi-speciality facilities to Trust-wide transformation strategies, new digital-based models of care and CCG strategic estates plans. Paul Dutton joins the Project Management team in Birmingham and has worked on a range of health and education projects. These include hospitals and specialist centres like The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre Liverpool, University Hospital Birmingham, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, St George’s Hospital and Royal Berkshire Hospital amongst others. He has a background in IT & medical equipment bringing a new element to RLB client services in addition to his project management skillset. These appointments come at a time of phenomenal growth for the RLB healthcare team who brought healthcare management consultant Conor Ellis to the helm of the division in 2017.  The sector has doubled in turnover in the past 12 months, is shortlisted for national awards and now has clients in every area of the NHS from acute & research to primary, mental health and community care. Conor Ellis, Partner and National Head of Healthcare at RLB comments, “RLB welcomes three more senior professionals to the RLB healthcare team.  They bring a breadth of knowledge and experience to the fold with outstanding track records within their healthcare field.” Andrew Reynolds, UK and Global Board Director for RLB UK continues, “It is an exciting time for the UK business. We are seeing opportunities open with the healthcare division as the needs change both of the NHS and within the private healthcare sector. Our high profile projects are enabling us to attract the best talent which in turn means we can offer a strategic, consultative approach to serve the market even better.”

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How to overcome the challenges of building a cutting-edge STEM centre

There has been a lot of discussion about the STEM skills shortage that is being seen throughout the UK. The Telegraph has reported on research by the UK Commission for Employment & Skills, for instance, which suggests that 43 per cent of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths vacancies were hard to fill as of the latter months of 2016. What’s more, the publication also revealed that just 15,000 students in the UK sat a computing or ICT A-Level in the summer of 2016, which represents less than two per cent of the entire number of exams sat during that period. Further Education establishments across the UK also have a challenge in STEM provision that they must address — providing well-equipped environments that can cater for hands-on teaching methods but with small budgets available to them. One possible solution to overcoming this challenge is intelligent construction. For example, one of the leading construction companies in the North of England, Central and Southern Scotland, Esh Group, uses value engineering to assess the design, materials and systems of a building project to establish where efficiencies can be achieved. This methodology may result in the firm being able to find an alternative wall finishing that can save the project several thousand pounds, or identify specialist glazing materials which can retain heat and thus save energy costs in the long run. Why dedicated STEM centres are proving appealing Another way that Esh Group has attempted to engage the workforce of tomorrow and enhance the skills sets needed to help those looking to get into a career related to Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths subjects is through the development of a set of Get into STEM kits. The construction company goes beyond just education when looking into factors related to STEM, however. Many colleges have chosen to build dedicated STEM centres to meet the demands of employers, and the Government’s Industrial Strategy, with Esh Group building STEM centres at Middlesbrough College and Northumberland College’s Ashington Campus alone. Taking note that these buildings — like any other site in the educational sector — should be a focal point for communities is a factor Esh Group makes sure to remember when making these structures. Another consideration for the firm is that they are designed in a way that provides a safe, stimulating and sustainable environment for all. As such, they always consult closely with clients, pupils, teachers and the community to shape the vision of the new environment and meet the needs of future generations. Steps to take when designing a STEM centre and then building it Adaptable spaces for teaching facilities and workshops is usually a requirement from education providers when STEM centres are being constructed. For Northumberland College’s STEM centre in Ashington, for example, Esh Group installed a galvanised steel trench in the workshop area. This allows the college to adapt the room layout, move equipment and store power and data cables securely. The also fitted a moveable wall within the building, which can be opened up to create double-height workshop areas. Bear in mind too that a busy college campus will likely be based very close to a STEM centre and within a prominent spot. As such, it’s important not to disrupt the smooth working of the institution. On recent builds, Esh Group considered this point and separated the site using Heras fencing and ensured clear signage is in place. If shared road access will be leading up to the site where the STEM cente is being built, then a traffic flow system should be set up in the early stages of the construction project. Site vehicles should drive fully onto site, with materials being delivered on a ‘just in time’ basis and stored in a dedicated lay down area. Will a STEM centre be built with two storeys or more? If so, working at height must be factored in as well. Fortunately, the Health and Safety Executive has a raft of handy advice about this topic in this guide. Toolbox talks should be provided to every individual on site too, not to mention thorough risk assessments and method statements created to ensure everybody is safe and secure throughout the entire development. Those carrying out the construction work of a STEM centre should also be factoring specialist equipment into their build. After all, the aim of the facility will be to provide world-class sector-based education to pupils once it’s complete and open. A real-life lean manufacturing facility — complete with a robotic-controlled production line — was set up by Esh Group when they were building a STEM centre within Middlesbrough College, for instance. The centre now replicates typical industrial environments and includes fully-functional chemical and oil processes, which are monitored and operated from a high-tech control room. The construction company also installed specialist science and technology workshops, including dedicated ‘fab labs’ where budding product designers and entrepreneurs can access the latest in digital fabrication equipment for prototyping.

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Arriva Rail London Appoints New Concession Transformation Director

Arriva Rail London (ARL), which operates the London Overground on behalf of Transport for London (TfL), is pleased to announce the appointment of Alicia Andrews as the company’s new concession transformation director. “We’re incredibly pleased that Alicia has joined the Arriva Rail London team. Alicia brings great experience in leading innovation and building successful stakeholder relationships with her and her role will be integral as we work to continue to meet the challenge of the current London Overground concession, with the aim of delivering a world-class railway for London,” said Managing Director, Will Rogers. Alicia has almost 30 years of experience in all aspects of strategic and commercial management, having worked at organisations including Condor Ferries, Yell and the Financial Times. As concession transformation director, Alicia is accountable for delivering the commercial strategy for Arriva Rail London, for delivering the business transformation programme as well as stakeholder management. Alicia took up the role, which reports in to managing director Will Rogers, in July 2018. “I am delighted to be joining Arriva Rail London at such an important and exciting time in the company’s development. The Concession Transformation team is tasked to deliver big improvements to the London Overground service like the new LOTrain deployment, and oversees ARL’s programme of work to further enhance our customer’s travel experience. My immediate focus will be on ensuring that we continue to meet and in fact exceed the expectations of our customers and our client,” said Alicia. Prior to her recent appointment, Alicia worked as executive director, commercial at Condor Ferries where she was accountable for passenger ticket and onboard revenues. She was instrumental in the introduction of a new type of ‘fast ferry’ – a stabilised monohull – which is unique in northern Europe. The ship was refitted and brought in to service in just six months from purchase to the first passenger service.  

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IDOM Makes Strategic Appointment in the UK

IDOM (through its local branch IDOM Merebrook Ltd) is investing further in the field of asbestos management in the United Kingdom with the appointment of industry specialist Steve Hurst to spearhead the consultancy’s further business development in this area. The IDOM asbestos team has extensive experience of contaminated ground investigation, management and detailed knowledge of handling asbestos in buildings. The team offers a wide range of services including risk assessments, surveys, clearance, remediation and training. “This is a strategic appointment for us. Steve is a leading authority in the field of asbestos. We have been working within this sector for many years and believe it has real potential for further growth and is therefore an area we are keen to develop,” said IDOM’s Chief Operation Officer, Nigel Huish. “Managing asbestos projects is an incredibly complex process. We offer our clients a pragmatic approach to ensuring compliance, so Steve’s skillset in providing clients with workable, economically efficient solutions will be a valuable asset to the business,” he added. Steve brings a wealth of specialist expertise to the role, with over 30 years’ experience in environmental sector, having held senior positions in both business development and strategic operational leadership. He specialises in contract and client management, project management, training and quality delivery, strategic innovation, liability assessment, due diligence and decommissioning advice. “I have always held IDOM in very high esteem and watched them develop and grow as a global engineering powerhouse, whilst successfully retaining their high standards and exceptional levels of customer care. Needless to say, I jumped at the opportunity of becoming part of their success story and expanding their asbestos management capabilities  – it is an exciting time to join the business and I very much look forward to the challenges this role brings,” commented Steve on his appointment.

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Outstanding Yorkshire Housing apprentices in awards shortlist

Muhammad Uddin and Isobel Moorhouse, two Yorkshire Housing apprentices, have fought off stiff competition to make the final shortlist for Yorkshire and Humber regional apprenticeship awards 2018. Both apprentices made the shortlist, which showcases the diverse range of sectors engaged with apprenticeships and celebrates outstanding apprentices, such as Muhammad and Isobel, who go above and beyond to champion apprenticeships. Isobel, from Bradford, joined Yorkshire Housing in 2015 as apprentice surveyor and in May 2018 completed the level three apprenticeship in property maintenance surveying, achieving 100 per cent distinctions for elements of her surveying qualifications and also received the chief executive award. During her apprenticeship Isobel carved a niche for herself as a priceless member of the repairs investment team. She is also a member of the young ambassador network. Fellow awards shortlisted candidate Muhammad Uddin started his Yorkshire Housing apprenticeship straight after leaving school, joining the benefits and advice team. Within 12 months he achieved his level two business admin qualifications and successfully secured a role as customer complaints apprentice, enabling him to do his level three business admin qualification. Last month he was shortlisted in the top 20 Young Leader Inside Housing finalist awards. Muhammad has been instrumental in the rollout of a new complaints system, mentoring new apprentices, running workshops and training staff. As an active apprentice champion he’s spoken at local BME forums, career events, been featured on podcasts, websites and represented on the Young Apprentice Ambassador network. Shortlisted candidate, Isobel Moorhouse said: “I feel very privileged and shocked to have been shortlisted for this award. I’m really pleased as getting to the finals is very exciting and I really look forward to finding out who the winner is!” Kiran Olak, Yorkshire Housing’s senior people development coordinator, said:  “Muhammad and Isobel are a real credit to Yorkshire Housing and have really gone above and beyond to champion apprenticeships. I am very proud that their great work has been recognised and they have been shortlisted for this prestigious award, acting as great ambassadors for apprenticeships.”   We wish them the best of luck at the regional finals on 26 September 2018. You can find out more information on the National Apprenticeship Awards on their website.

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