Keeping Homes Decent
SOAR Build Special
August 2010
It has been a very eventful year in the continuing development of SOAR Build.
Growth has continued both geographically and financially in an extremely
competitive market, and a development with new clients and an understanding
of the needs of current clients alongside new disciplines will ensure the
effective sustainability of the business in current economically
challenging times.
Skills Pledge
SOAR Build recognized that in today’s climate training is more important than ever. Improving the skills of its staff during
the economic downturn is the best way to ensure they are as resilient as possible. What’s more, employers whose staff
have the skills to offer high-quality services most efficiently will not only be best-placed to weather the downturn, but can
also take advantage quickly when the economy does pick up. Because of its commitment to training SOAR Build have
recently been awarded the skills pledge certificate and logo.
Investors in Diversity
Because of its commitment to provide a high quality service to its customers, SOAR Build recognized the fact that Diverse
means different, we are all different therefore diversity includes us all. After SOAR Build committed to being Investors in
Diversity, they have undergone several site visits, presentations, formulating action plans, internal surveys and eventually
were awarded Investors in Diversity status.
Investors in People
Whilst working in a very competitive construction market SOAR Build will
remain focused on the ethos of the company, employing and training local
people from disadvantaged areas helping to create sustainable communities.
SOAR Build have always been investors in the people that they have employed and provided with the opportunity to
develop careers and even start their own business. It seemed a natural progression seek official recognition and after an
assessors site visits and surveys amongst its employees, SOAR Build were officially proclaimed Investors in People
In this special edition of Keeping Homes Decent we review the above and
also the challenges that lie ahead for the SOAR Build team.
Labour
Trainees
Employment by Area
Phil Wright
General Manager
29%
12%
25%
30%
75%
29%
Closing the gap area
Target area
S postcodes
Other
As can be seen from the charts, 71% of the employees are local to Sheffield
Finance Section
Martin G to produce
Trainee
Other
Painting and Decorating
Apprentice Lee Smith was selected by SOAR Builds training provider, Sheaf Training, to represent the college in a
national competition organized by Dulux Decorators Centre, to find the Apprentice of the year. Lee performed excellently
and came in an admirable third place. Because of his success he came out first in his category (1 – 12 months training)
and as such he was invited to attend a prize giving ceremony at the Sheffield Town Hall. Because of his success Lee was
selected to represent the college on a two week all expenses paid trip to France. The purpose of the visit was to gain first
hand experience of how environmentally friendly the French are with their decoration techniques and use of materials
Plastering
SOAR Build plastering section as become a much sought after section and as such are now successfully working in:
Sheffield Decent Homes schemes
Sheffield Sheltered schemes
ACIS (Sheffield)
Barnsley Decent Homes schemes (Kier)
Gedling
Theo Smith trainee painter and decorator celebrated securing a career in the construction industry after starting on a 6
month Working Rite placement. The placement with SOAR Build which was organized by the Places for People group
resulted in a permanent contract for Theo. Another success from the Working Rite programme is Joe Barret. Joe was
learning his trade with a small Painting and Decorating company who unfortunately ran out of work, SOAR Build stepped in
and took over his contract and his mentoring and Joe is now enjoying his training whilst working on the ACIS scheme in
Sheffield.
Whilst working on so many schemes it as allowed SOAR Build to continually take on more trainees. One trainee was
Mathew Hancock, a young trainee living in the Parsons Cross area of Sheffield. Whilst the Decent Homes work was being
undertaken on his parents house Mathew asked if there was an opportunity for a trainee plasterer as his father was a
retired plasterer. Mathew was taken on board by SOAR Build and passed his NVQ level 2 with flying colours. Mathew has
since left SOAR Build, with the help and best wishes from SOAR Build, to become self employed and is back work with
SOAR Build as a sub-contractor. (SOAR Build paid to have his van sign written).
Whilst operating on the Decent Homes schemes in Sheffield and on the Sheltered schemes SOAR Build are also
decorating on the ACIS scheme in Sheffield and have had recent success in winning schemes with Kier on the voids work
in Sheffield and two streams of Decent Homes work in Barnsley.
Another one of SOAR Builds trainees, Russell Naylor ended up plastering his own mother’s house, how is that for:
Tiling
SOAR Builds tiling section as gone from strength to strength and are now working in:
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
Sheffield Decent Homes
Sheffield Sheltered schemes
ACIS
Great Places
Gedling
Bestwood (Nottingham)
Shiregreen
Whilst working in Gedling, SOAR Build, true to the company’s ethos employed a local apprentice who has turned out to be
a real find. David Woodcock lives a short distance from the site office and was given his tools to succeed through SOAR
Build. David scooped Trainee of the Year Award at New College Nottingham and came second in the East Midlands
regional heats of the National Training Awards. David joined SOAR Build after being unemployed and his now studying for
his NVQ level 2 in floor and wall tiling.
Another trainee tiler to join the SOAR Build team is Brett Bugg. Bret lives in Broxtowe, Nottingham and came to SOAR
Build from the Working Rite scheme organized by a local Social Enterprise, BEST.
o Local employment
o Local opportunity
o Local wealth and regeneration
Insulated Rendering
Insulated rendering has become the latest discipline in SOAR Builds portfolio. SOAR Build are now accredited installers of
the following systems:
o
o
o
o
Wetherby
Structherm
Alumasc
Envirowall
To become accredited installers of these systems SOAR Builds employees had to undergo intensive practical and theory
training to show their competence.
The benefits to the residents of installing these systems include:
o
o
o
o
o
Work carried out externally thus minimizing disruption to the tenants
Residents remain in occupation
Improvements to thermal performance resulting in lower energy bills
External appearance of whole streets transformed
Healthier living environment
In addition SOAR Build have been accredited to install Structherms unique Structural insulated cladding, one of only 35
companies in England. The system not only insulates the property but also stabilizes defective walls