SEHBAC Commercial News

SEHBAC Commercial’s programme of positive youth employment has lead to the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) featuring the Company in promotional materials highlighting the benefits of apprentices.

The flyers and posters, an example of which can be seen by NAS Case Study_SEHBAC Commercial, are used in their delegate packs at events and conferences nationwide. NAS Employer Services Managers use the details to demonstrate to employers and training providers the excellent work done by apprentices in the scheme. 

The National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) was launched in April 2009.  Reporting to the Departments for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) and Children, Schools and Families (DCSF), the service drives forward the Government’s ambition for Apprenticeships, aiming to bring about significant growth in the number of employers offering Apprenticeships.

The NAS has total responsibility for the delivery of Apprenticeships including Employer Services, Learner Services, and Apprenticeship vacancies online.  The service has ultimate accountability for the national delivery of targets and co-ordination of the funding for Apprenticeship places, acting to overcome barriers to growth and assuming responsibility for promoting Apprenticeships and their value to employers, learners and the country as a whole.

Issued by SEHBAC COMMERCIAL             

Media Contact: Oliver McCrudden

SMA Public Relations

Tel: 01621 892 814

Email: oliver@smapr.net

Property improvement specialist, SEHBAC Commercial, has completed a project in Bury St Edmunds for national housing provider, Sanctuary Housing Association, installing windows, doors and roofline products for Eastgate House, a private retirement scheme in the picturesque town.

Sanctuary Housing, part of Sanctuary Group manages over 76,000 properties across the country with 9,000 of these in the East of England. As a not for profit organisation, all income goes into maintaining high standards and updating and developing services to residents. At Eastgate House, the requirements were to replace the aged windows and doors to address energy efficiency, noise insulation and security. Residents were consulted on their requirements and the contract was put out to tender.

Ipswich-based SEHBAC Commercial, part of the SEH Group of companies, was the successful contractor having visited the site, consulted with the client and met the residents and management of the properties.

Craig Forder, sales and estimating manager for SEHBAC Commercial: “We pride ourselves on tailoring our works to avoid any disruption to residents whether that be at a retirement home, a school or a business. For the residents at Eastgate House we held a presentation meeting to explain how the project would be undertaken.”

As the project moved on, a full-time on-site supervisor was on hand to answer any questions residents had and maintained a contact with them to ensure everyone knew what was going on. The installation programme was held in the communal lounge of the property for all to see and letters were given to residents to appraise them of their survey and installation date.

The original timber products had aged over time and were removed in stages. SEHBAC Commercial’s windows & doors were installed. With a woodgrain finish on white PVC-u windows & doors, the effect is in keeping with the property. Roofline fascia, soffit and guttering was also replaced with a modern, aesthetically suited product.

Mike Mutimer from Sanctuary Housing: “SEHBAC Commercial’s installers and management have been communicating with both us and our residents throughout the project which has made the whole experience very clear and simple. The improvements are immediately noticeable. Rooms are warmer, quieter and the communal areas are very comfortable. We aim for the highest standards in all our properties and the SEHBAC Commercial project has certainly met our expectations.”

SEHBAC Commercial replaced 130 windows and 15 doors throughout the scheme over a 4 week period. The fascia, soffit and guttering took 6 weeks to install.

SEHBAC Commercial manages major commercial refurbishment projects for clients such as government departments and local authorities, housing associations, property management, schools, commercial contractors and property developers.  As SEHBAC Commercial’s client portfolio continues to grow in the competitive commercial property market, the company is securing business thanks to high quality traditional PVC-u, aluminium and wood windows & doors, an experienced commercial team and a commitment to developing new solutions in tune with modern efficiencies and construction ideals.

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Date: April 2010           

Download Press Release as a PDF here: Press release – SEHBAC COMMERCIAL PROVIDES NATIONAL HOUSING ASSOCIATION SANCTUARY                                                                                                    

SEHBAC Commercial Media contact – Oliver McCrudden – 01621 892 814 – oliver@smapr.net

Sanctuary Group Media Contact – David Henning – 01992 513473 – david.henning@sanctuary-housing .co.uk

Local MP Chris Mole praised SEHBAC on his recent visit to our manufacturing centre for the quality of the products and our recruitment of three young technical trainees. Chris encourages training schemes to build business capability for future growth.

Chris Mole MP gets hands on at SEHBAC

East Anglian home improvement company, SEHBAC, has been a major employer in Suffolk and Essex since the early 1970s and has recently embarked on a programme of positive youth employment by employing apprentices from the National Apprenticeship Service as part of SEHBAC’s 75-strong workforce.

To recognise SEHBAC ‘s contribution to the region, local MP Chris Mole visited SEHBAC’s window and door manufacturing and sales centre in Ipswich on 19^th February to meet two young apprentices where he called on more Suffolk businesses to use the apprenticeship scheme.

20-year old Jed Barrell works as a member of the company’s Commercial business, SEHBAC Commercial. Jed’s 15 month programme is subject to regular assessment from industry experts and through workplace learning, Jed is now becoming a key player in the multi-million pound turnover company working on contracts across the UK with clients ranging from small companies to multi-national property owners. Regional training supplier WS Training put him in touch with SEHBAC as a strong candidate following their interview process.

“The apprenticeship has changed my life,” says Jed. “Having been made redundant from my previous engineering job I attended a careers fair and learned about the Apprenticeship programme. I secured an interview with SEHBAC through the contacts at WS Training and have been here since November ‘09. The business skills I’m learning here and the knowledge my colleagues are teaching me are fantastic. As well as in the office I find myself using them in other walks of life – planning living budgets, structuring life plans! I aim to be here for the long-haul and develop my career within SEHBAC.”

Fellow apprentice Adam Locke, 19 and from Ipswich, is responsible for stock management and goods. Previously unemployed, Adam joined the company and worked as a member of the team producing over 1,000 windows each week from the Ipswich factory. “My apprenticeship is giving me opportunities I might not have otherwise had. It’s changed my life for the better.”

Glen Swatman, Managing Director of SEHBAC Commercial: “My team needs to know the details of our market sectors and our products need to be fit for purpose and in keeping with building requirements. The team needs to be able to communicate with clients in a professional and clear manner and meet the quality levels we’ve set. Jed came to us last year and has slotted into the day to day running seamlessly. His enthusiasm and willingness to learn from our more experienced staff and to use those skills in dealing with clients has been first class.”

John Savage, Managing Director of SEHBAC’s retail operations, is a strong believer in the Apprenticeship programme’s benefits: “The Apprenticeship programme ensures we have a structured approach to training and helps enhance the multi-skill levels of our staff. Whether, like Adam, our apprentices are involved in the important manufacturing side of the company or in the client-facing special project areas, the ambition they demonstrate helps to keep our staff fresh and gives us the opportunity to train young employees in the SEHBAC way. We have ISO 9001 Quality Management System approval and Kitemarks requiring all procedures to be documented and audited; the training these young members receive is all best practise and ensures that going forward, SEHBAC will stay relevant at the forefront of the various sectors we operate in.”

Having toured the SEHBAC premises where he saw the production line in action and witnessed the creation of windows from start to finish, Chris Mole met and talked to the apprentices about the roles they now have and the effect the Apprenticeship programme has had on their lives.

Chris Mole MP: “I was pleased to get the chance to shadow the apprentices at SEH BAC windows and to find out more about how the Company is investing in Ipswich by providing employment and training to young people, and continuing to grow a successful business with the help of Apprenticeships.

‘Not only do Apprenticeships play an important role in giving businesses the edge to succeed in the upturn – they are invaluable to the individual, offering a strong route into a career and valuable hands-on experience as well as qualifications.

‘The recession has taught us two key things: that businesses’ long-term commitment to investment in their workforce really pays off, and that young people must be effectively brought into employment.  Apprenticeship programmes, like at SEHBAC, offer both of these factors and I would urge more businesses to consider the benefits of Apprenticeships.

‘Over 300 employers in Ipswich have already signed up to the free Apprenticeship vacancies service which matches apprentices with prospective employers and it would be fantastic to see this number rise.  I would strongly advise companies in Ipswich to consider Apprenticeships as part of their recruitment strategy.”

Also visiting on the day was Teresa Logan, Employer Services Director for the National Apprenticeship Service in the East of England.

“Apprenticeships provide a flexible resource to help businesses across all industries grow and provide a route to harness fresh talent.  Having staff with the right skills for the job means they can do a wider range of tasks and take on new responsibilities.  This can help to reduce skill shortages, minimise staff turnover and workplace accidents, and increase productivity.

“The time is absolutely right for businesses of all sizes to take on apprentices. Our research shows that firms who take on apprentices have been in great shape to face the downturn. Last year saw a seven per cent increase in apprentices; that’s 240,000 people starting their careers with the best possible training and the determination to succeed.

“Our aim is to bring about significant growth in the number of employers offering Apprenticeships and our target is to have one in five people undertaking an Apprenticeship by 2020.”

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Issued by SEHBAC COMMERCIAL

Media Contact: Oliver McCrudden

SMA Public Relations

Tel: 01621 892 814

Email: oliver@smapr.net