Housing company top employer
A Salford-based housing management company has become one of Greater Manchester's top employers for equal opportunities in just its first year of operation.
Salix Homes, which manages council homes for Salford City Council has won the Promoting Equality of Opportunity Employer of the Year award outshining major employers such as the BBC and Marriott.
The award given by Greater Manchester Employer Coalition commends the organisation on its commitment to providing equal opportunities to staff and tackling a wide range of diversity issues in the workplace.
It also recognises the significant steps that Salix Homes has taken in ensuring it has a diverse workforce in place which reflects the community it serves in Central Salford.
Salix Homes has introduced a number of initiatives to improve the diversity and equality of opportunity for its staff which have helped the organisation to stand out against other key employers.
It has been heavily involved in partnership working with GN Procure and Salford College to establish 'B 4 Box', a company set up to train members of the community, including economic migrants, in construction skills to develop qualifications needed to get a job in the trade.
Throughout March, the organisation dedicated itself to celebrating diversity in the community and encouraged staff to find out more about the area where they work and the customers they look after.
To help establish a younger workforce, Salix Homes has brought in a modern apprenticeship scheme in partnership with Connexions, to give young people the chance to study for an NVQ while carrying out a work placement at the company.
It has also been recognised by the Jobcentre Plus Two Tick scheme for the practices it has put in for the employment and training of disabled employees and is currently working on improving its BME representation.
Kevin Scarlett, chief executive at Salix Homes said: "For a very young company we have achieved big things in a small amount of time and for us to be setting such high standards for other employers to follow at this stage is fantastic.
"We have very strong relationships with partner agencies and community and voluntary groups in Central Salford and we believe that by working with these, we can support our staff in as many ways as possible and create a great place to work."
Added Vicki Godfrey, director of the Greater Manchester Employer Coalition (GMEC): "Many congratulations to Salix Homes on winning this award. Each year we are amazed by the commitment, support and effort made by employers in the area to help support local people gain sustainable employment.
"Our Awards are important to the entire employment and skills sector, as they are a celebration of the vital role of employers both as customers of its service and as a partner."
ENDS
Notes for editors
Salix Homes Ltd is helping to deliver Salford City Council's five-year strategy to bring all council housing up to the Decent Homes Standard, a multi-million pound vision for the city.
Salix Homes is an Arms Length Management Organisation (ALMO) and is a not-for-profit company responsible for the day-to-day management of 10,600 homes across Central Salford, Rainsough Brow and Beechfarm.
It is responsible for housing-led regeneration services which come within the Manchester-Salford Housing Market Renewal Pathfinder area.
For more information on Salix Homes, please contact Public Relations Officer, Katy Barnes on 0161 793 3157
Each year Greater Manchester Employer Coalition holds its prestigious Awards event to celebrate where employers are making a real difference to the lives of local people. The awards recognise the employers, partnerships and individuals that make Greater Manchester a great place to live and work.
