Community Benefits: Beyond Bricks & Mortar Case Study
Background:
As part of the BB&M commitment for the new Waun Wen project for Swansea Council in September 2014 our Technical Director Ian James liaised with Lee Wyndham of BB&M and Liz Cottle of Job Centre Plus regarding possible positions for BB&M applicants. A number of candidates were interviewed at County Hall in Swansea and the position of Tenant Liaison Officer / Site Administrator was offered to Kelly Martin.
Project Details:
Ian James mentored Kelly and arranged for various training courses for her including SSSTS, Scaffold Inspection and First aid.
Kelly quickly settled into the role and developed into a key part of the team liaising with tenants, site management, subcontractors and Swansea council staff.
A number of further contracts were won by ASW on the framework and Kelly absorbed these projects into her role. She also carried out dilapidation reports and carried out customer satisfaction surveys.
Kelly made such an impact that she has now become a full time member of staff on a permanent contract. Kelly is already looking to develop her career with ASW expressing an interest in becoming a Site Manager.
ASW believe that if addressed and managed properly the BB&M scheme can provide a major boost to the local economy by bringing long term unemployed people back into part time or even full time employment such as in this instance. Ian James ASW Technical Director commented “we thought long and hard about what type of role we could offer under the BB&M Scheme as the role has to benefit both the applicant and the company. We identified the Tenant Liaison Officer role as a key part of the site team and was therefore a ‘real’ role where the BB&M applicant will get at least some true ‘on-the-job’ training and feel as part of a team effort. Naturally we are delighted with Kelly and to see her grow in confidence and ability whilst carrying out her role was fantastic to see”.
