Through its involvement with the ‘Creating a New Pendleton’ regeneration scheme in Salford, a local employer has been shortlisted for a National Apprenticeship Award for their work with Salford City College in delivering construction Apprenticeships.
In October, Adary Joiners was named SME of the Year at the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) Awards for the Greater Manchester and Cheshire region, putting them through to the national finals later this month. As a result of this fantastic achievement, the team at Adary Joiners has also been invited to 10 Downing Street to meet the Prime Minister.
The Oldham-based construction company was set up in 2012 by Gary and Lucy Sidlow, and has been working with Salford City College to deliver Apprenticeships in joinery for just over a year. Having previously only hired subcontracted joiners, Gary and Lucy decided to bring stability to their workforce by employing local talent as apprentices.
With apprentices forming the core of their workforce, Adary Joiners found itself in the uniquely advantageous position of being able to train all of its in-house employees to work exactly how they wanted them to. The aim of this is that the apprentices will grow to become the future leaders of the company.
Gary explained: “As a company we are very much in favour of Apprenticeships. I started my career as an apprentice, and my wife Lucy is an Apprentice Ambassador, so she spends a lot of time encouraging other local employers to get involved.”
The company currently employs four apprentices; Anthony Farrell, 23, Anton Levinson, 24, Luke Foster, 25, and their newest recruit, Cain Williams. 21-year-old Cain from Little Hulton started a Level 2 Apprenticeship with Adary Joiners after completing a twelve-week construction traineeship programme delivered by Salford City College through the Pendleton Together regeneration project.
Allan Milne, Head of Work Based Learning at Salford City College, said: “The team at Adary Joiners has given outstanding support to the apprentices the College has placed with them. As an employer, they invest time and energy to make sure their business works for the apprentices, which in turn leads them to be highly motivated and determined employees. It is fantastic to see that this hard work and dedication has been recognised on a national level, and we wish them every success for the National Apprenticeship Awards.”
The apprentices are currently working on the Pendleton Together regeneration project to renovate social housing in Salford. Adary Joiners is also supporter of the Salford City Mayor’s Charter, which is designed to help raise employment standards for employees and businesses across the city.
Councillor Paul Dennett, Strategic Assistant Mayor, said: “Through the strength of our regeneration activities we have developed strong partnerships and we are delivering some fantastic outcomes in Pendleton by connecting people to opportunities.
“Gary and Lucy from Adary Joiners have done great things with their company and they have given local young people a chance to flourish. They and the people that work alongside them have seized the opportunity and they have all demonstrated what The Spirit of Salford is about. We wish them all the very best for the national final.”
Lucy Sidlow, joint owner of Adary Joiners, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be shortlisted for a National Apprenticeship Award; it is something that we could never have dreamed of two years ago when the company was in its early stages. It is great to see that hard work pays off, both on our part and on part of our apprentices.”
Sue Husband, Director of the National Apprenticeship Service, said: “Apprenticeships deliver for businesses, individuals and the economy. They enable people to gain the skills and knowledge they need to succeed, in some cases up to degree level, while working and earning. And for businesses, hiring apprentices is a productive and effective way for them to grow their own talent by developing a motivated, skilled and qualified workforce.”
Photo: (left to right) Paul Longshaw (Salford City Council), Julie Fern (Keepmoat), Allan Milne (Salford City College), Anton Levinson (Level 2 Apprentice), Cllr Paul Dennett (Strategic Assistant Mayor), Gary & Lucy Sidlow (Adary Joiners), Debbie Ward (Salford City College), Anthony Farrell (Level 3 Apprentice) , John Jordan (Pendleton Together)
