NWD provide toolkit sponsorship for new NCHA apprentices
Nationwide Windows & Doors (NWD) has helped to welcome four new Multi-trade Apprentices with their first professional toolkits as they start their first week at Nottingham Community Housing Association (NCHA). Alfie, Joe, Leo, and Rosie have been gifted the toolkits, which include all the basics they need to get started in their new careers, as part of a £2,100 sponsorship from NWD, providing them with something practical that will be of great use to them over the next year. NCHA delivers care and support to people all over the East Midlands and has a track record of providing apprenticeship roles in housing, social care, building trades, and business administration. They work in partnership with the National Apprenticeship Service and local colleges to provide tailor-made opportunities across the organisation and through our contractors. These apprenticeship positions have been created in the NCHA Property Services team to give the four successful candidates a good foundation in fundamental trade skills. Over the next year they will gain skills in plumbing, painting, joinery, and plastering, before choosing which area they want to specialise in. Paul Durrance, Regional Operations Manager at Nationwide’s Nottingham Installation Hub, said: “I started my career as an apprentice joiner, so I’m pleased that at Nationwide we’re able to support young apprentices at the start of their careers. Having a good set of tools will help them to learn the skills they need to succeed, and everyone at Nationwide wishes them all the best as they start their new careers.”
Living Wage accreditation for Nationwide Windows & Doors
Nationwide Windows & Doors has demonstrated its commitment as a responsible employer by becoming Living Wage accredited. NWD has alway taken a voluntary stand to ensure that members of its team are valued and earn a wage which allows them to live, not just survive, and this latest certification backs up that promise. Employing 280 staff at its Rugby headquarters and throughout various depots across England and Wales, NWD, along with its retail sister company Future Homes, now join more than 12,000 UK businesses who pay the real Living Wage, the only UK wage rate based on the cost of living. “With interest rates and fuel costs rising, and the UK in the midst of a cost of living crisis, it’s important that now more than ever British workers are paid fairly and that businesses realise and value their contributions,” says John Whalley, NWD Managing Director. “At Nationwide, we’ve always considered our workforce to be part of the Nationwide family. That’s why we’ve always been committed to paying a wage that we consider fair, rather than sticking to the minimum wage. It’s important to make our team members feel valued and an important part of our success. “We’re very proud to now be Living Wage accredited, showing our public commitment to fair play and being responsible employers.”
Nationwide Windows launch trainee installer scheme to futureproof quality
Nationwide Windows & Doors has launched an independent pilot programme to provide quality training to the next generation of installers, creating real career opportunities and helping to improve communities, housing and homes. The scheme has been structured to provide a blended approach, including classroom education alongside both offsite and onsite training, tackling the skills gap and futureproofing Nationwide’s high-quality standards to tenants. Starting in June, the first batch comprised of two recent school leavers under 18-year-olds, with four more trainees who had previous careers in other industries joining the programme in July. Enrolees begin training as competent labourers, partnering with existing installation teams and supported by Nationwide’s dedicated training team, with those showing potential given the option to progress further and become professional installers. Additional training will be fully funded by Nationwide, who will also be providing NVQ qualifications and other nationally recognised qualifications to demonstrate competence. Led by Helen Owens, Learning & Development Manager, the Nationwide Training Team also consists of Master Fitter Simon Taylor and GQA Assessor & Trainer Dave Naylor. “As a company, we have always been passionate about training and improving opportunities for our staff and communities,” says Chris Costall, Nationwide’s Compliance Director. “This programme has created a real buzz already and it’s great to see the candidates taking to the course with such enthusiasm. “Not only are they getting the benefit of Simon’s vast installation expertise & Dave’s training & assessing knowledge, but working with our teams on site is also giving them valuable ‘boots on the ground’ experience, ensuring our high-quality standards to clients is maintained.” Initially taking place in Nottingham, the scheme is expected to be rolled out nationally. One company working with Nationwide to deliver the scheme is award-winning social housing provider Nottingham City Homes (NCH), who manage 27,500 homes in the city. Adrian Cheetham, Director of Property Services at NCH, says: “As a major local employer, we welcome the opportunity to work with our key contractors on initiatives that see more local people being able to access jobs and training. We’re delighted to be able to work with Nationwide to offer this kind of blended training.”