Neo Property Solutions has recently commenced delivery of its first contract with Procure Plus, delivery fire safety measures to tower blocks for First Choice Homes in Oldham. As well as managing delivery of the practical elements of the contract, Procure Plus also works with First Choice Homes and Neo Property Solutions to develop and agree social value activities as part of the contract delivery.
Neo, First Choice Homes and Procure Plus are all committed to ensuring good quality employment is available to local people, and so Neo agreed to provide two full time paid employment with training opportunities to candidates referred by First Choice Homes in partnership with Procure Plus.
One of these new employees is Martin.
Martin is a tenant of First Choice Homes living in one of the tower blocks in which Neo is delivering Fire Prevention works. Martin was an asylum seeker when he first came to the UK , which resulted in 10 years of him living through precarious housing and employment situations. Finally, Martin was offered a tenancy with First Choice Homes, and it was through their in-house employability coaches that he heard about this opportunity for employment.
First Choice Homes supported Martin to improve his English, develop his CV and understand his rights and responsibilities as an employee. The partnership with Procure Plus meant that, once the opportunities with Neo Property Services had been agreed, Martin was able to be referred to the opportunities available, armed with the skills and knowledge he needed to be able to be successful at interview.
In September 2021, following his interview, Martin was employed as a trainee fire stopper. Procure Plus has continued to support Martin and Neo, and in March 2022 Martin completed his six month probationary period and his contract was confirmed as permanent. He continues to do well, and is undertaking formal training to ensure he can progress in his new career and sustain his own employment. His site manager and colleagues have nothing but praise for Martin’s commitment to his work.
I am tremendously grateful for all the support I have been given by First Choice Homes, and for the opportunity offered by Neo in partnership with Procure Plus. Without this help I wouldn’t have been able to get a good job. I hope to stay with Neo for a long time, and one day to become a manager.
Rebecca O’Gorman, employment support advisor at First Choice Homes said ‘Martin is a lovely man and engaged with me and the team really well. I was delighted that the Procure Plus contract with Neo resulted in real jobs being created, and thrilled for Martin when he was offered the opportunity. It’s wonderful to see him progressing in a stable job.’
Matin never stops smiling and never stops working, when he has finished a task he will look for something else to do. I’m impressed at the quality of candidates referred by Procure Plus and First Choice Homes, and at Neo we are thrilled to be able to work with partners who support us in delivering meaningful social value to communities in which we work.
Martin is a very hardworking and committed young man – his story shows what can be achieved by working in partnership for the benefit of local communities.
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