ASW Property Service supports South Wales provider scheme to help tenants into work see first five recruits secure full-time jobs.
Pictured: Anthony Thomas MD ASW Property Services (left) and Grzegorz Michalski
Copper is a shining example of what housing providers can do for tenants beyond bricks and mortar.
The Copper Foundation – a ground-breaking employment initiative launched by Welsh provider Tai Tarian – has seen all five recruits first time go full time just a year after launching.
Tai Tarian, responsible for over 9,000 properties across the Neath Port Talbot County Borough – saw the foundation as helping tenants struggling to find work a route back into employment.
Recruits are given 12-month contracts and work alongside Tai Tarian’s team of experienced tradespeople to gain knowledge and experience in a number of fields.
Now, just one year after launching, the project has seen another member of staff go on to secure a full time role – taking the total to five.
Grzegorz Michalski, was one of the first recruits to be taken on by the Copper Foundation last summer.
After impressing during his year with Tai Tarian, the single dad from the Afan Valley has gone on to secure a full-time role with ASW Property Services, a local company specialising in property repairs, maintenance and management.
Michalski said: “I’ve learnt so much during my year with the Copper Foundation including carpentry and fencing skills – I am very grateful to Tai Tarian for giving me the opportunity to gain this experience and I look forward to using these skills in my new role.”
Anthony Thomas, Managing Director at ASW Property Services said, “We’ve worked with Tai Tarian on a number of projects over the years.
“The Copper Foundation is a great initiative and when Grzegorz applied for a role with us we were only too pleased to give him this opportunity. “We were impressed with the skills he had learned in a relatively short period of time and his work ethic – we are looking forward to him joining our team.”
Aled Guy, Tai Tarian’s Senior Operations Officer and responsible for managing the project said the latest success follows on from four Copper Foundation recruits also gaining employment – two working in Tai Tarian’s neighbourhood team and two with external companies.
Guy said:, “I’m really thrilled that Grzegorz has secured a new role. He’s worked really hard over the past year and it’s great to see him get this opportunity.
“This means that all five Copper Foundation recruits who completed their year’s training with us have been successful in gaining further employment.
“The project is set to expand over the coming years, so the success that Grzegorz and the other four recruits have had will be a great incentive for those who are just starting out with us.”
As well as work experience, Copper Foundation recruits receive mentoring and advice on how to compile CVs, fill in job application forms and interview technique training.
Around 80 people will be given opportunities through the Foundation over five years.
