National supermarkert chain, Wm Morrisons, has applied to improve the retail offer at its Rotherham store at Bramley with the addition of new units in the car park.
In March, bosses at the retail firm discussed plans to develop popular and useful services at its network of stores including identifying a number of car park development opportunities.
Mirroring plans for sites up and down the country, a planning application has been submitted to Rotherham Council that would enable the construction of an extra 4,700 sq ft of retail space in the South West corner of the store's car park.
Mathew Turnbull of agents Peacock and Smith, who are acting on behalf of Morrisons, said: "The application seeks consent for the erection of a retail terrace of three units, including a drive thru facility; a hand car wash facility; a tyre changing facility; and a retail pod."
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The plans, drawn up by Whittam Cox Architects, add: "The scheme seeks to revitalise the existing WM Morrisons car park by offering more choice to customers and generating new employment opportunities. The proposal will be constructed to high standards and with sensitivity to its locality. We are confident that the proposed site additions will be exceptionally well received by the local residents and visitors to Bramley."
The proposal would reduced the overall number of spaces in the 638 space car park by approximately 89.
The end users of the proposed units are not yet known. At Morrisons at Catcliffe, a branch of Specsavers has been operating from a retail pod in the car park for a number of years.
A sequential test is included in the plans in line with "town centre first" national and local planning policies. Sequential tests ensure that development is located in the most sustainable location first (usually in town centres), before other, less sustainable locations are chosen.
The test concludes that there no sequentially preferable sites, discounting sites in Wickersley and Maltby that are considered too small or unsuitable and unviable.
In its financial results for the first half of 2017/18, the Bradford based firm reported that turnover was £8.42bn, up 4.8% on the same period in the previous year. Profit before tax for the half year was £200m, up from £143m in the same period in 2016, a rise of 39.9%.
Mears Group has extended the deal with Rotherham United to sponsor the South Stand at AESSEAL New York Stadium for another three years.
Morrison Facilities Services, the company that maintains council properties in Rotherham, was acquired in 2012 by Mears, the UK's leading provider of social housing repairs and maintenance services. The company began a £60.5m contract to maintain council properties in Rotherham in 2010. The five and a half year deal, with four possible one-year extensions, is to repair and maintain 13,000 properties in Rotherham North, Rotherham South and Wentworth North.
The stand, previously known as the Morrison Stand since the £20m stadium opened in 2012, will undergo a name change, taking on the title of the parent company Mears.
Alan Long, executive director of Mears Group (pictured, right), said: "Rotherham United Football Club share our values in working closely with local people and local communities. That's why we are proud to extend our partnership for another three years."
Steve Coakley, commercial director at Rotherham United (pictured, left), added: "I am very excited to have extended our contract with a brand as well respected as Mears Group and am very proud that our South Stand will once again carry their name.
"This announcement once again demonstrates how far we have come commercially as a football club and the involvement of nationally recognised businesses like Mears reiterates the growth of Rotherham United Football Club's reputation.
"The deal completes the extension on sponsorship agreements on all four stands at AESSEAL New York Stadium, and with the same companies committing long-term it shows that we have a fantastic working relationship with our commercial partners and long may that continue."
Also at the Championship club, e-commerce website developer and on-line marketing specialists, Purpose Media, has signed a community partnership deal with Rotherham United's Community Sports Trust that will benefit young people and enable them to gain valuable skills that will help them secure a future career.
The Trust is a community development programme that works across the borough of Rotherham in deprived areas with different communities and age groups. Through the power of football it promotes physical and emotional health, healthy eating, healthy lifestyle, learning, confidence building, social integration and community cohesion. In 2012, Rotherham United was named the Coca-Cola Community Club of the Year at the Football League Awards.
Matt Wheatcroft, managing director at Purpose Media, said: "I played a lot of sport when I was young, so I know from my own experience that when faced with to much spare time on my hands it would have been easy to follow a wrong path. Community programmes help to fill that time with learning experiences that provide skills that will be of more value to a future employer."
Jamie Noble, head of community at Rotherham United, added: "Local businesses play a vital role in supporting our work in the voluntary sector so I am really pleased that Purpose Media have become a community partner. By engaging with them we also benefit from their knowledge and expertise which helps us deliver community initiatives that really do work and change lives."
Rotherham businesses are coming together later this month to highlight local career and skills development opportunities.
Mears, the company that works on a council housing repair and maintenance contract in Rotherham, is sponsoring its third annual series of Local Employment Advisory Forums (LEAF) across the UK and the event in Rotherham will take place at the Magna Science Adventure Centre on November 17 and is being jointly hosted with Rotherham Council.
Businesses will get the opportunity to speak to young people and job seekers about the employment opportunities they may have within their companies, and the employability skills and qualifications needed to access them. Those seeking to improve their skills and receive advice on returning to the employment market are invited to come along to the Rotherham LEAF to obtain practical support and find out more about careers.
The event will focus on young people for the morning session and adult jobseekers and college students in the afternoon.
A whole host of local organisations including businesses, social housing landlords and charities will be on hand to offer guidance on employment and gaining skills and qualifications needed for work. There will be 70 business exhibiting, the event will be a fantastic opportunity to receive free face-to-face advice from organisations and find out more about working in different sectors and what employers are looking for from candidates. Also in attendance is the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) with Boeing's Manufacturing Transporter (pictured), the unique travelling showcase for advanced engineering.
As the job search can be particularly hard for people who have never worked and for those who have been out of the job market for a while, people attending the event will be able to receive information on skills required for particular roles within local businesses, along with interview tips and practical advice on CV writing and job applications. There is also an opportunity for attendees to find out about local employment vacancies in the area.
Alan Long, executive director at Mears, said: "Mears set up Local Employment Advisory Forums to provide advice on employment, skills and training. We believe that offering information, advice and guidance is a step towards tackling worklessness and assisting people on their journey to employment.
"We are delighted to host this event and work with our partners in Rotherham to support local people to find out more about improving their skills and finding out more information to help people succeed in setting and achieving their training and employment goals."
Staff working on a council housing repair and maintenance contract in Rotherham are being balloted over possible industrial action.
Construction union UCATT, alongside other local government unions Unite, GMB and UNISON are involved in a dispute with Morrison Facilities Services Ltd.
Morrison began a £60.5m contract to maintain council properties in 2010. The five and a half year deal, with four possible one-year extensions, is to repair and maintain 13,000 properties in Rotherham North, Rotherham South and Wentworth North. The firm was acquired by Mears in a £24m deal in 2012.
UCATT said in a statement that the dispute is over a large number of industrial relations issues including: the re-instatement of dismissed operatives; company policies and how they are implemented; how human resources handle disciplinary issues; vehicle checks not being made in work time; the storage of work tools on a workers' own premises and; threat to de-recognise unions and unacceptable behaviour towards shop stewards.
Rob Morris, regional secretary for UCATT, said: "UCATT has done everything possible to try to resolve these issues without resorting to industrial action. However management have refused to recognise our concerns so we have had no option but to seek a mandate for strike action from our members."
As part of the Rotherham contract, Morrison opened its Yorkshire Training Academy on Thames Street that provides training for all of the company's apprentices in Yorkshire, currently around 40 students, as well as training initiatives for the local community.
Earlier this year the care sector part of the Mears Group was awarded new contracts by the NHS Rotherham Clinical Commissioning Group to deliver continuing healthcare.
Repairs and maintenance service provider Morrison has celebrated the recruitment of its ten 2012 apprentices with a formal contract signing ceremony at Rotherham town hall.
The event held in conjunction with CITB-ConstructionSkills, saw all ten new apprentices sign their Construction Apprenticeship Scheme (CAS) Deeds, which is a formal contract between their employer and themselves. The Deed commits both the employer and the apprentice to each other for the period of the apprenticeship and ensures formal training is provided until the individual is competent in their chosen craft.
The apprentices' parents were also asked to sign the Deed in order to encourage them to support their children in maintaining their studies and attendance levels throughout their training course.
Mark Waterhouse, account director at Morrison Rotherham, said: "We hope that by formalising the signing of the CAS Deeds we will set our new apprentices on the right course from day one and demonstrate to them what a great opportunity they have here to learn a craft for life."
Christine Senior, area delivery manager for South Yorkshire and Humberside at CITB-ConstructionSkills, added: "It's great to see Morrison making such a commitment to taking on ten new apprentices for the second time running.
"As well as providing young people with the skills and knowledge they need to enter the construction industry, apprenticeships are also valuable qualifications for employers – ensuring they have an even bigger pool of talent to recruit from. We’re hopeful that other companies will follow Morrison's lead, as initiatives like this are vital for attracting new blood into the industry."
Recently acquired by Mears, Morrison repairs and maintain 13,000 properties in Rotherham North, Rotherham South and Wentworth North.
The ten new recruits are all aged 16-18, over the next two years the apprentices will study for NVQ Level 2 Diplomas in Maintenance Operations and will be taught a variety of trades including joinery, plumbing, brickwork, plastering and tilling.
Each of the new apprentices will be mentored from within Morrison and have been given their own dedicated mentor to work with on-site four days a week, with one day a week spent at the Morrison Academy in Rotherham to learn the theory side of their trades.
In addition to the Deeds signing, Morrison also celebrated the success of its existing apprentices who joined the company in 2011. The ten apprentices have now all moved into their second and final year and are well on the way to becoming qualified tradesmen.
Receiving special recognition on the night was Matthew Roberts who was named Apprentice of the Year for his commitment to his training and constant achievement throughout his first year. Also recognised was Joshua Moss who was named Special Project – Apprentice of the Year for his involvement and commitment to helping to transform a home for a Yorkshire family as part of the DIY SOS programme.
Morrison Facilities Services, the company that maintains council properties in Rotherham, has been acquired by Mears, the UK's leading provider of social housing repairs and maintenance services.
Morrison, which has in excess of 2,500 employees, delivers services to social housing clients in the UK.
It began a £60.5m contract to maintain council properties in 2010. The five and a half year deal, with four possible one-year extensions, is to repair and maintain 13,000 properties in Rotherham North, Rotherham South and Wentworth North.
The £24m acquisition adds further to Mears' current portfolio of more than 500,000 properties.
In a joint statement, both companies said that "the Morrison contract base fits well with Mears' structure and service delivery ethos. The acquisition increases Mears' capability and experience of running very large contracts. The enlarged Group will combine expertise and resources to deliver the best possible service for our customers."
David Miles, chief executive at Mears Group, added: "This is an exciting acquisition for Mears and we look forward to welcoming Morrison staff to the Mears family. I am confident that this will bring benefits for clients, tenants and staff.
"We will work closely with all partners to ensure a smooth a transition as possible towards an integrated, sustainable, customer focussed group."
As part of the Rotherham contract, Morisson opened its Yorkshire Training Academy on Thames Street that provides training for all of the company's apprentices in Yorkshire, currently around 40 students, as well as training initiatives for the local community.
Shiloh, a homeless charity in Rotherham, which was at risk of becoming homeless itself, has re-opened in new premises.
The 20 year old charity faced having to close its doors for good, until Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council offered it the use of a disused gymnasium. Unfortunately the building was a complete shell and needed to be entirely renovated and fitted out in order to make it viable for Shiloh's use.
Repairs and maintenance service provider Morrison came forward and offered its assistance as part of its community development programme. Shiloh also gained considerable support from the construction and property industry's charity CRASH.
The total project costs amounted around £95,000 of which Shiloh raised £15,000 and the remaining £70,000 was donated by CRASH and Morrison through the provision of professional expertise, supplies, labour and some cash funding.
In total Morrison's team donated over 600 hours of staff time to the nine month project, including project managing the build and providing all the labour and tools free of charge. While CRASH patron company Galliford Try provided the services of a Quantity Surveyor, Knauf Drywall and supporters Altro, Baxi, PPG, Premdor and Saniflow supplied materials free of charge and CRASH awarded a cash grant of £9,000.
Morrison's team completely transformed the premises; building new rooms, installing laundry facilities, bathroom facilities, a fully functioning catering kitchen and a brand new heating system, as well as completely decorating the premises.
Now based on Sheffield Road, Shiloh provides its guests with access to a wide range of services free of charge, including hot meals, washing facilities, laundry facilities, counselling services and clothing.
Jonathan Lang, administrator of Shiloh said: "Without the labours of love and skill from the workers, and the companies and organisations who have donated their staff, materials and funding for this project, we would not be where we are today - and those who need us most would be worse off.
"Shiloh is only a small charity but we know we make a big difference to those in need; to have had to shut our doors because of a lack of suitable premises or finance would have been truly devastating for the people who rely on our support and we are so thankful that this has been avoided."
Mark Waterhouse, regional account director at Morrison, added: "Over the last nine months our team have spent many hours, including their own free time, to transform this building so it could provide shelter for those most in need in our local community.
"It has been an amazing project to be involved with and we are all so proud to see it finally opening its new doors and being able to provide fantastic new facilities for the most vulnerable people in Rotherham."
The achievements of a Rotherham apprentice who has managed to turn his life around in just over a year have been recognised by the Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, resulting in an invitation to the closing ceremony of the Olympic Games as an official guest of Her Majesty's Government.
Steven Cox from Rotherham, who has gone from being on the NEET (Not in Employment, Education or Training) register to being half way through his apprenticeship with repairs and maintenance provider Morrison, met the Deputy Prime Minister last month when he visited Morrison's Yorkshire Academy to launch the 16-17 year old NEET element of the government's Youth Contract.
The Sheffield MP also visited Full Circle Learning in Rotherham town centre to meet with young people and discuss their prospects.
Steven told Mr Clegg how aged 16, he was not interested in college and was unable to find a job and was spending most of his time at home but through the assistance of Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council and advisors from Connexions, he was able to gain a place on an Employment Matters course run by Morrison's Yorkshire Academy.
Morrison, provides housing repairs and maintenance service to Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council.
The course lasted for 12 weeks and gave Steven basic training in construction and employability skills, as well as on the job experience. After showing real promise on the course, Steven was then encouraged to apply for Morrison's apprenticeship programme and was selected as one of its 2011 Rotherham apprentices.
Steven Cox, apprentice at Morrison, said: "I'm very grateful for the opportunities I have been given. I received great support when I joined Morrison and I'm just pleased that I’ve been able to prove myself.
"To meet the Deputy Prime Minister was brilliant and it is such an honour to be recognised in this way. I'm now really looking forward to seeing the closing ceremony of the Olympics."
Mark Waterhouse, account director for Morrison in Rotherham added: "The speed of Steven's transformation is what is most impressive. In just over a year he has really unlocked his potential.
"It just shows that with the right guidance and tuition, it is possible for young people to break the unemployment cycle and make it into full time employment. There are so many young people out there who just need a chance and the aim of our Academy is to provide this and help them succeed.
"We are truly delighted that Steven has been recognised in this way by Mr Clegg and we hope his story will inspire others to consider construction trades as a career."
Morrison will shortly be taking on another ten apprentices in Rotherham, adding to the 240 apprentices it already employs nationwide.
A group of Rotherham apprentices, aged between 16 and 18, have successfully completed the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge, as part of the 2012 Master Cutler's Challenge to raise funds for a local cancer charity.
The seven apprentices from Morrison, who are all based in Rotherham at the company's Yorkshire Academy, completed the Three Peaks in eleven hours and 40 minutes raising an impressive £1,100 for the Master Cutler's Challenge.
This year's Master Cutler's challenge is raising funds in aid of Cavendish Cancer Care, which provides support to people who are affected by cancer in Yorkshire and Derbyshire.
Dave Whelan, who manages the apprentice programme for Morrison, said: "The lads all did really well to complete the three peaks within the target time of 12 hours, despite the poor weather conditions, and were delighted to have raised over £1,100 to help support the battle against cancer."
Morrison already employs 240 apprentices nationally with 20 recently taken on in Leeds. In partnership with CITB-ConstructionSkills, the Sector Skills Council and Industry Training Board for the construction industry, the new apprenticeships will receive training at Morrison's Yorkshire Academy on Tenter Street in Rotherham.
Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, was in Rotherham today to launch a national £126m scheme to get NEETs (Not in Education, Employment or Training) back on their feet.
The Sheffield MP visited Full Circle Learning in Rotherham town centre to meet with young people and discuss their prospects.
Full Circle works with a number of partners in the town to provide training opportunities for young people in areas such as construction, security and IT. Partners include Lifeskills, Morrison plc and Rotherham United.
The programme launched today is part of the government's £1bn Youth Contract and sees organisations paid by results to get 16 and 17 year olds back into education or training.
Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, said: "Young people who have fallen through the net need tailored support to get back on track. We can't treat them like round pegs being forced into square holes – if you're young and have got to the point where you feel on the scrapheap, you need extra help to succeed in life.
"Disengaged young people often have complex problems that act as a barrier to getting them learning again, which the Government alone can't deal with. But very often local charities and businesses know what's going to help them.
"That's why we're unlocking funding for these organisations to be as creative and innovative as they can, to do whatever it takes, to get the young people who need it most back on their feet. In exchange for this freedom, all we ask is that they get results. It's a win-win for government, young people and the organisations involved."
Organisations will receive an initial payment for taking young people on, but will only receive subsequent payments when they show progress, such as getting young people to engage with training programmes or undertake apprenticeships.
The contracts on offer are worth up to £2,200 for every young person helped, with the full amount payable only if a young person is still in full-time education, training or work with training six months after re-engaging.
Prospects Limited is the lead provider for the scheme in Yorkshire and the Humber.
Ray Auvray, chaiman at Prospects, said: "Young people are finding it increasingly difficult to get into the labour market, with so many people unemployed. We shall need to work closely with local authorities, our subcontractors and partners, training providers and employers to assist these young people."
In November 2011, 7.7% of all 16-18 year olds in Rotherham were NEET, below the national average of 8.1%.
Innovative projects to tackle the issue in the borough have benefited from funding from the European Social Fund.
Rotherham United has secured a third major sponsor for the New York Stadium, with repairs and maintenance service provider, Morrison, signing a three year deal to sponsor the south community stand.
The deal means Morrison joins Ben Bennett, Eric Twigg Foods and Pukka Pies in committing their name to the £20m stadium, which is under construction on the former Guest and Chrimes factory site, in an area known historically as New York, close to the town centre.
The 12,000 seater stadium is set to be completed this July and the Community stand has seating for 2,755 fans, a disabled seating area and special polycarbonate on the roof edges to allow light onto the pitch.
Andy Wilson, account director at Morrison Rotherham, said: "We are very proud to be announcing our sponsorship of the Community stand; for us it not only marks our support for this great local club but also the wider Rotherham community, which will be brought together by the stadium.
"Everyone at Morrison is looking forward to seeing the completed stadium and having the Millers back in Rotherham."
Steve Lewis, head of commercial at Rotherham United, added: "Morrison is a key community partner for Rotherham United so it is fitting they have chosen to sponsor the south stand at the New York Stadium.
"They are one of several partners who have backed the Millers' community projects and their support has been pivotal to us being nominated for Community Club of the Year. Now, thanks to partners like Morrison, we can deliver our community projects from a brand new state-of-the-art stadium facility, which will continue to benefit the community.
"We are delighted to have them on board and to be extending our partnership with the company at this historic time for Rotherham United. In this new era for the club, we look forward to working together to enjoy an exciting and successful future."
Morrison began a £60.5m contract to maintain council properties in 2010. The five and a half year deal, with four possible one-year extensions, is to repair and maintain 13,000 properties in Rotherham North, Rotherham South and Wentworth North.
The Mayor and Mayoress of Rotherham made a special visit to the Morrison Yorkshire Training Academy in Rotherham to meet some young apprentices who are currently studying there.
Officially opened last September by Morrison, which provides housing repairs and maintenance service to Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council, the Academy on Thames Street provides training for all of the company's apprentices in Yorkshire, currently around 40 students, as well as training initiatives for the local community.
The ten apprentices, who met with the Mayor and Mayoress, are all aged between 16 and 18 and are studying for their NVQ Level 2 in Maintenance Operations.
The Mayor of Rotherham, Councillor Shaun Wright, said: "I very much enjoyed my first, but hopefully not last, visit to the Academy. Seeing first hand such a progressive learning environment, which genuinely helps young people build for the future, was fantastic; it really took me back to my days as an apprentice.
"Their enthusiasm was infectious and their work ethic was second-to-none. I'm certain that their commitment to work and to learning new skills will see them in good stead for future careers.
"I'd like to thank Morrison for introducing me to the apprentices and wish them the best of luck in the future."
Andy Wilson, account director for Morrison Rotherham added: "It is fantastic to welcome the Mayor and Mayoress to the Academy as part of the National Apprentice Week. All of our apprentices are very proud of their apprenticeships and events like today, give them an opportunity to demonstrate what they are learning.
"Our apprentice base is one of the largest in our sector in the region and we are fully committed to continuing our support of apprenticeships in Yorkshire, with 30 new apprentices set to join us this summer."
All of the apprentices who attend the Yorkshire Academy are recruited from the local area in which they work and have two year contracts with Morrison. Each apprentice has their own dedicated Morrison mentor to work with on-site four days a week, with one day a week spent at the Academy learning the theory side of their trades.
Full Circle Learning in Rotherham is engaging and working with teenagers on the NEET register.
A number of Rotherham organisations are working with repairs and maintenance provider Morrison, to work with young people who are Not in Employment, Education or Training (NEET).
Steven Cox who lives in Rotherham will be starting as one of Morrison's new apprentices after completing a 12 week Employment Matters Course with Full Circle at Morrison's Yorkshire Training Academy.
The two year apprenticeship will enable Steven to gain practical work experience alongside Morrison's skilled trades people, whilst learning the skills of his new trade at the Academy.
Steven was on the NEET register, but through Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council and with help and assistance from Connexions advisers he was able to gain a place on the Get Ready for Work Employment Matters course.
The course, which has been supported by Lifeskills Solutions, gave Steven appropriate basic training in construction and employability skills to prepare him for the world of work and finished with a few weeks work experience out on the tools with Morrison's Rotherham workforce. Steven said: "There's no doubt back in April 2011 I was going nowhere. Not interested in college, unable to find a job and just spending my time at home doing nothing.
"I'm really glad I enrolled on the course and the work experience with the staff at Morrison certainly helped me when it came to the interview stage. I am very grateful to everyone that helped me."
Steve Muscroft, managing director of Full Circle Learning, from Morrison Yorkshire Academy, added: "This is a fantastic achievement for Steven and we are very proud of him.
"It just goes to show that with appropriate guidance and support, and a good deal of commitment from the young people themselves there are positive opportunities out there for them."
The course has been co-funded by the Skills Funding Agency as part of an ESF (European Social Fund) Programme designed to help young people into education, employment or training.
Leading repairs and maintenance service provider, Morrison has created 30 new placements, which will be awarded this summer, for local people living in the Leeds or Rotherham areas.
The apprentices will all work on Morrison's social housing repairs and refurbishment contracts in Leeds or Rotherham. The available apprenticeships are in Maintenance Operations, as well as a select number of specific trade disciplines.
The group began a £60.5m contract to maintain council properties in 2010. The five and a half year deal, with four possible one-year extensions, is to repair and maintain 13,000 properties in Rotherham North, Rotherham South and Wentworth North.
Applicants for apprenticeships will be invited to register with CITB-ConstructionSkills, which will support and guide them through the application process.
Andy Wilson, account director, Morrison Rotherham, said: "This is a fantastic opportunity for people in Rotherham to access an apprenticeship with a national company, which will offer them the chance to gain the skills they need for a lifelong career in the sector.
"Morrison is passionate about training and ensuring the repairs and maintenance sector has the right skills and people it needs for the future. This apprenticeship programme will play a significant role in helping us to achieve that aim here in Rotherham."
Russell Buckley, regional delivery manager for CITB-ConstructionSkills in Yorkshire and the Humber, added: "We are working closely with Morrison to help ensure that new talent is being bought into the industry.
"This is a fantastic opportunity for people in Leeds and Rotherham to enter the sector and work within their local communities on a daily basis. Morrison is committed to creating local employment and applications from local people will be awarded special priority."
Morrison opened their Yorkshire Academy in Rotherham last year. They have partnered with Rotherham training provider, Full Circle Learning Ltd.
Ten Rotherham apprentices all aged between 16 and 18, were given two year contracts to work at Morrison in 2011.
Applicants can register their interest by sending their CV to Morrison Academy, C/O Full Circle Learning, Unit K, The Crofts, Quarry Hill, Rotherham, S60 2DN or sally.r@fullcirclelearning.co.uk. Vacancies are open until June, but applicants are urged to apply early.
Repairs and maintenance service provider, Morrison, has won the Chartered Institute of Building award for Collaborative Working at the Celebrating Construction in South Yorkshire Awards (CCISY).
Promoted by the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), the awards aim to celebrate high quality work by all parts of the region's construction industry supply chain including developers, designers, builders and end-users, both large and small.
Morrison won the award for its support of employment opportunities within Rotherham, in partnership with Access All Areas and Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council (RMBC).
Working with Access all Areas and a number of other local organisations including AdPro/Project 400, RotherFed, Full Circle Learning and Wolseley, Morrison provides work experience and employment opportunities to people who may be disadvantaged due to age, unemployment or disability; giving them opportunity and hope about future employment prospects.
Over the past ten months, Morrison together with its partners has undertaken a wide range of initiatives including apprenticeships, second chance apprenticeships, employment matters programmes for individuals Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEETS), school work experience placements and DIY taster classes for tenants. These initiatives have helped over 49 people and the resulting benefits amongst participants have included an increase in confidence and self-esteem, a changed attitude to work and the take up of further training or employment.
Andy Wilson, account director at Morrison Rotherham, said: "This award is fantastic recognition of the work we have been doing in the local community during our first ten months in Rotherham.
"However, we have not done this alone and none of these programmes would have been as successful without the strong relationships that have been nurtured and developed with our partner organisations. We will now continue to develop these initiatives to ensure even more Rotherham residents benefit from these opportunities in the year ahead."
The Sustainability Award at the event was won by Rotherham-based Bramall Construction.
Following the successful launch of their Yorkshire Academy, repairs and maintenance service provider, Morrison, has taken on its first group of apprentices in Rotherham.
The ten Rotherham youngsters all aged between 16 and 18, have been given two year contracts to work at Morrison whilst studying for their NVQ Level 2 in Maintenance Operations.
The group began a £60.5m contract to maintain council properties last year and each of the new apprentices will be mentored from within Morrison and have been given their own dedicated mentor to work with on-site four days a week. One day a week spent at the newly opened academy on Thames Street to learn the theory side of their trades.
The course has been specially chosen by Morrison because it will equip the new apprentices with all the skills they need to work in the repairs and maintenance sector. It and covers joinery, plumbing, brickwork, plastering and tiling. Rotherham-based Full Circle Learning Ltd will deliver the various training courses on behalf of Morrison.
Andy Wilson, director of Morrison Rotherham said: "Apprenticeships are a vital part of our industry and we are very pleased to be starting our apprenticeship scheme here in Rotherham. The ten apprentices have now all started and have settled in really well and are enjoying working with their mentors.
"As part of Morrison's commitment to Rotherham Borough Council, we will be hiring 10 apprentices each year for the next three years all of which we hope will come from the Rotherham community."
Leading repairs and maintenance service provider, Morrison has opened a new training academy for Yorkshire in Rotherham.
The group began a £60.5m contract to maintain council properties last year. The five and a half year deal, with four possible one-year extensions, is to repair and maintain 13,000 properties in Rotherham North, Rotherham South and Wentworth North.
The Academy is located on Thames Street and has been set up in partnership with Rotherham-based Full Circle Learning Ltd, who will deliver the various training courses on behalf of Morrison.
Each year 100 members of the local community will receive training and support through the Morrison Yorkshire Academy to help guide them into employment or in developing new trade based skills. In addition, Morrison's own staff, who work in Leeds and Rotherham, will also receive training to enable them to provide the best level of services to their customers.
Guy Wakeley, Chief Executive of Morrison said: "We are very proud to have officially opened our Yorkshire Academy today, which we hope will make a real difference to local people in Yorkshire. We have been working hard on the development of the Academy with our partner Full Circle Learning Ltd for the past year and it is fantastic to see it now in operation and already achieving results.
"The Academy will serve a dual purpose of targeting the developmental needs of the most vulnerable within the local communities in which we work, whilst offering a multi-skilling service to all Morrison employees in the local area."
Courses being run by the Academy include an Employment Matters programme, which will help local residents develop new skills with the aim of getting them ready for work, as well as a Trade Taster programme which has been designed to help residents gain the confidence and ability to carry out some basic DIY tasks themselves.
The Academy will also train all of Morrison's Yorkshire based apprentices, with this year's intake alone involving the training of 27 young people from Leeds and Rotherham.
The facility, was opened on behalf of Morrison earlier this month by Hayley Taylor, Channel 4's Fairy Jobmother.
Leading repairs and maintenance service provider, Morrison, has announced that they will build the Morrison Northern Academy for training and development in Rotherham as they begin a £60.5m contract to maintain council properties.
The five and a half year deal, with four possible one-year extensions, is to repair and maintain 13,000 properties in Rotherham North, Rotherham South and Wentworth North.
Mark Waterhouse, Partnering Director for The Yorkshire Region of Morrison said: "I am immensely proud that Morrison has been selected as the partner of choice for Rotherham and am really looking forward to the challenges ahead.
"Throughout the lengthy selection process to find a new partner we have been challenged not only to find new ways to improve on the current repairs and improvements service, but also to demonstrate how we will make a real and meaningful contribution to Rotherham people and the local business community.
"Apart from delivering a first class, customer friendly and respectful responsive repairs service we will be heavily investing in training and development for both our staff and customers through the Morrison Northern Academy which we will be building in Rotherham.
"Our aim is to create increased and long term sustainable employment and to make sure that we are always at the heart of all things Rotherham."
Willmott Dixon Partnerships secured a similar five and a half year contract worth £58m with possible extensions, to provide responsive repairs to nearly 12,000 homes and properties in Wentworth South, Wentworth Valley, Rother Valley West and Rother Valley South.
Both contractors are taking part in roadshows across the borough to give customers an oppportunity to speak to staff and find out more about the new companies.
Construction specilaists, Willmott Dixon and Morrison plc have secured contracts worth £120m to work with the council's arms length management organisation (ALMO) 2010 Rotherham to deliver a repairs service to council-owned property in Rotherham.
Willmott Dixon Group's repair and maintenance specialist Willmott Dixon Partnerships has won a five and a half year contract worth £58 million with possible extensions, to provide responsive repairs to nearly 12,000 homes and properties in Wentworth South, Wentworth Valley, Rother Valley West and Rother Valley South.
Morrison has won a £60.5m five and a half year deal, with four possible one-year extensions, to repair and maintain 13,000 properties in Rotherham North, Rotherham South and Wentworth North.
The new contracts go live in October and cover repairs, voids, capital works, gas and electrical, plus aids and adaptations. Employees currently with the council will be transfered to work on the projects.
Willmott Dixon Partnerships managing director Mick Williamson said: "We are delighted to be given this opportunity to work with 2010 Rotherham in delivering a first-class service to residents over the coming years.
"Our aim will be to work closely with 2010 Rotherham and other stakeholders to develop and deliver a three star excellent service as we have achieved with other clients, including in South Yorkshire.
"We are here for the long-term and welcome nearly 170 employees from Rotherham who will be joining us on the new contract."
Guy Wakeley, chief executive of Morrison, said: "The Borough of Rotherham will now form the new hub for our businesses in Yorkshire, where we will continue to grow our presence and create sustainable employment."
Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods Councillor Akhtar added: "2010 Rotherham and Rotherham Borough Council are determined to get the best possible service for our tenants at the keenest price. As part of this we have chosen Morrison and Willmott Dixon as the new contractors to carry out repairs and maintenance to Council housing from October this year.
"Both Morrison and Willmott Dixon are established national providers with excellent reputations for providing efficient repairs and maintenance services delivered to a three star standard." 2010 Rotherham website Morrison website Willmott Dixon website
Morrison Facilities Services, the company that maintains council properties in Rotherham, has been acquired by Mears, the UK's leading provider of social housing repairs and maintenance services. 
Steven Cox, apprentice at Morrison, said: "I'm very grateful for the opportunities I have been given. I received great support when I joined Morrison and I'm just pleased that I’ve been able to prove myself.
Rotherham United has secured a third major sponsor for the New York Stadium, with repairs and maintenance service provider, Morrison, signing a three year deal to sponsor the south community stand. 
Andy Wilson, account director at Morrison Rotherham, said: "We are very proud to be announcing our sponsorship of the Community stand; for us it not only marks our support for this great local club but also the wider Rotherham community, which will be brought together by the stadium. 
The Mayor and Mayoress of Rotherham made a special visit to the Morrison Yorkshire Training Academy in Rotherham to meet some young apprentices who are currently studying there. 
Steven said: "There's no doubt back in April 2011 I was going nowhere. Not interested in college, unable to find a job and just spending my time at home doing nothing.
Repairs and maintenance service provider, Morrison, has won the Chartered Institute of Building award for Collaborative Working at the Celebrating Construction in South Yorkshire Awards (CCISY). 
Following the successful launch of their Yorkshire Academy, repairs and maintenance service provider, Morrison, has taken on its first group of apprentices in Rotherham. 
Leading repairs and maintenance service provider, Morrison has opened a new training academy for Yorkshire in Rotherham. 
