Hackney Homes works programme

Hackney Homes works programme

Hackney Homes is a social landlord undertaking a major programme of investment in its stock.  The programme aims to achieve a number of community benefits including, particularly, training and development of the local workforce.  

Outline details of programme

 Sector: Social Housing

Client organisation: Hackney Homes:  Arms Length Management Organisation (ALMO), managing former LB Hackney housing stock

Scope of works programme: Stock of 33,000 units, majority in leasehold, programme of upgrading to Decent Homes standard.  Value in year 1, £45m.

Structure of works programme

 Overall structure:

  • Strategic alliancing agreements
  • Framework agreements
  • Individual contracts let under PPC2000

5 contractors, each in a defined area, each engaged for 4 years+. 
Common supply chains established by contractors

Programme Dates: 2006-2010

Workforce Development Programme

Target communities: For employment on HH programmes – local residents generally.
For training and apprenticeships –the unskilled and poorly skilled generally

Target skills/abilities to be developed: For employment purposes, roles available in supply chain could include surveyors, installers, liaison officers, stores controllers, supervisors

Target levels of qualification to be achieved: Framework agreement with contractors indicates typically CSCS and NVQ level 2

Target numbers to be involved: Within total workforce and for first tier members of supply chain (eg for supply and installation of windows and for re-roofing): 20% local labour, 10% in training and apprenticeships

Partners/stakeholders: Contractors and supply chain; Hackney Technical College has developed related courses.

Implementation – approach, methodology

Overall strategy

Strong ethos of collaboration, with Decent Homes Employment and Enterprise Partnership (DHEEP) providing focus and direction in response to perceived needs rather than reliance on strict contractual obligations.

DHEEP works with all local employment agencies such as Connexions and Constructionskills and organises recruitment in collaboration with constructors and suppliers

At works tender stage

Local labour initiatives featured in tender presentations, eg Bauder (roofing) highlighted:

  • Local labour initiatives, including employment of local labour
  • Roof training courses, including national specialist training schools and support for Hackney College

Coverage in works contract terms

Not covered in individual project contracts.  Supply chain framework agreements incorporate:

  • Local labour employment targets, in matrix covering range of job opportunities against years 1-5 and volumes of activity
  • Commitment to create job opportunities in accordance with targets
  • Undertaking to work in partnership with DHEEP

Measurement

Target numbers are included in range of KPIs self-measured by supply chain

Monitoring, enforcement

KPIs reported to client on regular basis.  No contractual sanctions but strong moral pressure to perform