Communitas, the education and training arm of Community union, helped two ex-Corus employees from Stourbridge into construction training after they were made redundant from their jobs at Corus. Now the pair have returned the favour by fixing region 4's office roof!
Mick Owen and Stuart Flemming were made redundant last year and were keen to develop new skills so that they could find new jobs. Tom Davis, project manager at communitas advised them to take accredited courses.
'First they took a block paving course and seemed to enjoy the challenge of gaining new skills,' says Tom. 'Then Mick took a plastering course and they both went on to do Mini Digger training, which also taught them all the health and safety aspects of working outdoors.'
Following the courses, which were funded by communitas, Stuart and Mick began to earn their living based on their newly acquired skills and have set up their own company - M&S Property Services. When the region 4 office roof needed repairing last August, needless to say they were the first people Community turned to.
Adds Tom: 'They did a very professional job at a very competitive price. Let's hope they go on to bigger and better things. You never know, we could have a couple of budding construction magnets in the making - and all because they came for a simple interview with communitas!'
Regional officer John Marston commented: 'It was a pleasure to have both Mick and Stuart working at our premises, they were extremely courteous and professional in dealing with the project that they undertook at our offices and we will always ensure that trade unionists are given the opportunity to quote for work if they have the necessary skills and facilities to carry out such work.'