Local refurbishment contractor Frank Haslam Milan (Fhm), working in partnership with Ashfield Homes Ltd and Ashfield District Council, is continuing to invest in local people.
Fhm has appointed two apprentices from the local area; Jordan Salmon as trainee joiner and Jonathan Salmon as trainee resident liaison officer.
The two brothers, who live in Skegby, are the latest in a number of apprentices to join Fhm, the company that is working in partnership with Ashfield Homes and Ashfield District Council to carry out the refurbishment of properties in the area to the Government’s Decent Homes Standard. The work involves replacement of building elements, including kitchens, bathrooms, central heating, electrical re-wiring, flat conversions, windows, roof coverings, external doors and rendering to Ashfield District Council properties.
Paul Bingham, Assistant Director of Technical Services for Ashfield Homes, said: “This is what this contract is all about - creating employment opportunities in the local community, whilst delivering a better standard of living for Council tenants. Since Ashfield Homes started in 2002, all our major works contracts have included targets in relation to local sustainability. These new trainees, along with many others, still to come through Fhm, will help us to maintain the legacy we have created in Ashfield over the last nine years, by providing local people with skills, qualifications and job opportunities. We wish these trainees the same success in their future careers.”
Jordan, aged 18, works alongside Duncan Bottomley, the site foreman, to fit kitchens and carry out joinery-related repairs in the properties.
Jordan Salmon said: “I always wanted to work as a joiner as I enjoyed woodworking lessons at school. My first step into this trade began with a one year course at West Notts College and since I joined Frank Haslam Milan, the company has supported me in my NVQ Level 2 in Joinery on day release.
“I like working here as they are a good team and they have helped me to develop my skills and experience. I am looking forward to becoming a fully qualified joiner by the end of this year.”
Jonathan, who is 20, works alongside Andrew Bushfield, trainee site foreman for Fhm. Jonathan’s job involves liaising with residents living in Ashfield Homes’ properties within the Sutton in Ashfield area to organise appointments to carry out work on Council properties. Jonathan is currently working towards his NVQ Level 2 in Customer Care through Fhm.
Jonathan said: “Fhm has assisted with my training and I have learned so much from working with Andrew. What I most enjoy about the job is getting out and about and meeting lots of new people. The Council tenants I have met have been very friendly and there’s lots of variety in the job which means every day is different.”
Demonstrating Fhm’s commitment to continually investing in its people, Andrew Bushfield is himself a former trainee resident liaison officer (RLO), who has progressed through the company and began working on the construction side of the business two years ago, following four years in this role. Andrew is currently undertaking training to become a site foreman with Fhm, which includes studying at the Leeds College of Building.
Andrew Busfield from Frank Haslam Milan explains: “It is fantastic to be able to pass on the benefit of my experience to a new Apprentice and to watch him develop and progress within the company. Jonathan is doing really well and is already getting to know tenants and has many of the skills to make a very good resident liaison officer.
Fhm has recently secured CSCS (Construction Skills Certification Scheme) Employer Certificate of Commitment for the next three years. This is a clear demonstration of Fhm’s commitment to developing a competent workforce that is able to meet the requirements of customers, employees and the construction industry.
