Oldham & Rochdale Housing Market Renewal Initiative (Partners in Action) are the primary funder for J21, investing over £600k from 2004 - 2008. They are the first procuring body to mandate a requirement for local labour across all HMR affiliated developments in order to maximise the community benefit and added value. HMR have been instrumental in supporting J21 at a strategic and tactical level by brokering & monitoring local labour commitments from developers. www.oldhamrochdalehmr.co.uk

 

Rochdale Council host J21; the project is based within the Economic Affairs Unit, Regeneration Service. Our position amongst likeminded projects has enabled J21 to access residents from deprived areas and the funding to develop their employability skills. This position has also helped build relations with key departments responsible for procuring multimillion pound projects. www.rochdale.gov.uk

 

Oldham Council, established the precursor to J21: Construction Oldham & Rochdale (COR). The Council’s visionary outlook gave rise to the J21 concept born from COR. Oldham’s commitment has been demonstrated through their financial contribution to developing the skills of Oldham residents, but also by integrating the local labour requirement across a number of recent procurements. www.oldham.gov.uk

 

The Oldham College has largest investment in construction skills training, offering provision across a range of disciplines including extensive work-based provision. They’ve developed flexible learning, health and safety test facilities and linked apprentices to major capital programmes. The college principal, Kath Thomas chairs the J21 Setting Group and has brokered introductions with major developers such as Oldham LIFT Co: Community First Oldham Ltd. www.oldham.ac.uk

 

Hopwood Hall College is the largest feeder of new entrants in Rochdale and has linked many of its construction learners to local developments and local SMEs. A good number of learners from Hopwood Hall are registered with J21 and job matched to vacancies, when they arise. The College is committed to developing industry links and demand-led provision; its partnership with J21 will enhance this remit. www.hopwood.ac.uk

 

West Pennine Housing Association has a tracked record of developing and supporting employability projects and were instrumental in establishing Construction Oldham & Rochdale and J21. They bring a wealth of experience to the partnership, as a social landlord with community obligations and as a public sector construction client that articulates the needs of industry, in a particular with social housing refurbishment and new build. www.regenda.org.uk

 

Rochdale Housing Initiative (RHI) has been involved in COR and J21 from the outset and have spearheaded a number of housing-led regeneration projects on behalf of local stakeholders. J21 has benefited from its sound knowledgebase of construction-led social inclusion projects. RHI has developed and managed successful schemes linked to Rochdale Decent Homes Initiative that impact the heart of the community and create life-changing opportunities for residents of deprived areas.

 

J21 has established a service level agreement with Job Centre Plus (JCP). This has proved to be highly effective due to JCP allocating a dedicated Construction Advisor (Margaret Alger) to work alongside J21. JCP clients are referred through Margaret who has developed an in-depth understanding of the industry’s needs and direct referral links with many local contractors, who utilise the service of JCP. This partnership provides a mechanism for local residents to access training and employment support. www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk

 

Greater Manchester Employer Coalition (GMEC) has developed best practice on integrating social procurement clauses in public procurement in the North East. At a local level, GMEC was responsible for developing the clauses used on HMR and Kingsway Development, which resulted in local residents securing employment and businesses contracting opportunities. J21 continues to benefit from the expertise provided by GMEC and now contributes to the agenda. www.wvuk.co.uk

 

Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce (GMCC) has championed the cause of local businesses for decades. Many local construction SME’s are members of GMCC and also registered with J21. Through our joint efforts we provide business support and promote the interests of local businesses to maximise the local investment from a development. J21 will continue to work in tandem with GMCC to help sustain the local economy. www.gmchamber.co.uk

 

University Centre Oldham (UCO) provides higher education provision to many Oldham & Rochdale residents and offers a range of construction related courses. UCO is an ideal feeder to J21, referring candidates seeking professional level careers with developers and SMEs. J21 has job matched many UCO learners and placed residents on to degree courses with UCO.  This joint approach will assist UCO establish links with industry that benefit residents and industry alike. www.oldham.hud.ac.uk

 

J21 are working on behalf of GM Procure to deliver a structured workforce development programme for social landlords and local SMEs, to help address the skills deficit for technical and professional level workers. The exemplar model developed by GM Procure brings a new dimension to J21, allowing the project to form part of wider regeneration programme that takes a long-term coherent approach, to generate a lasting benefit for local communities. The wealth of expertise held by GM Procure will serve the project well into the foreseeable future. www.gmprocure.com