View publication - Chartered Institute of Housing

SUPPORTING THE COMMUNITY THROUGH EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING
Supporting young people and adults with learning difficulties and with
individuals who are disengaged with mainstream schooling
The Timken Centre provides opportunities for young people and adults with learning
difficulties and with individuals who are disengaged with mainstream schooling.
Additionally the Centre worked with the then Primary Care Trust which also referred
clients. Our work with the Timken Centre has included:
• Mentoring the development of a sustainable social enterprise at the Centre called
Sunbeam Enterprises.
• Delivery of fencing assembly including provision of recognised training and
development opportunities.
• Fundraising activities.
• Provision of business plan diversification support.
Wolverhampton Homes achieving added social value
The principal benefit of our partnerships and our community focused approach to
facilitating training and employment opportunities, has been the ability for
Wolverhampton Homes to achieve a number of our key social goals. Over 30 per cent of
the workforce employed by the partnership has been drawn from within the City
boundaries and over 15 per cent of the workforce have been supported to recognised
training courses during the course of the partnership. We have also increased the
percentage of women employed as part of the workforce from 6 per cent to 10 per cent
over the last three years through our ‘Women in Construction’ events. These are
transformational achievements for our communities.
NSAfC status has given Wolverhampton Homes credibility in achieving our vision of
providing sustainable communities, through the development and establishment of
career progression within our supply chain and partnership working. The academy has
also provided a vehicle for channelling local people, including our tenants, into work
experience and provides opportunities to obtain a permanent position within the
construction industry.
Skills development for the future – where next for Wolverhampton Homes?
The intensity and enthusiasm generated throughout the project has inspired tenants and
staff at Wolverhampton Homes to create LEAP (Learning Education Achievement
Programme). The objective is to assist our tenants, leaseholders and their families to
secure work related skills, training, and experience. Its aim is to combat high levels of
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