Abergele-based Creating Enterprise has been shortlisted for the Social Business Wales Awards 2017 in the Education, Training and Jobs Social Enterprise category.
Creating Enterprise provides commercial property development and maintenance services, reinvesting their profits into training, volunteering and creating jobs. A subsidiary of Cartrefi Conwy housing association, their focus is on helping Cartrefi Conwy tenants into work.
Sharon Jones, Business and Partnership Director at Creating Enterprise, said:
“We’re very pleased to have our social business recognised in this way.”
“Of the 3900 households in Cartrefi Conwy properties, 1100 people are of working age but unemployed. Our Employment Academy offers 12 or 18 month paid contracts to tenants, who receive on-the-job training and formal qualifications. There are also opportunities for volunteering and training, and we give job search support helping with CVs, applications and interview skills.”
Seven tenants have so far completed the Employment Academy and all of them have moved on to permanent, full-time employment. A further 6 tenants are currently employed with the academy and 7 office-based volunteers are learning new skills.
Adrian Johnson, Managing Director of Commercial Services at Cartrefi Conwy, added:
“It’s important for social enterprises to be commercially viable,” “We aim to be the social contractor of choice, and we’ll only achieve that by providing the highest standards of workmanship, value for money and customer service. We get between 96% and 100% satisfaction ratings from our clients on our monthly surveys, so we know this approach is working.”
Derek Walker, Chief Executive at the Wales Co-operative Centre, the national body for social businesses and co-operatives, said:
“Every year it seems to get more difficult to short list for these awards, the quality of the applications are a testament to all the good work that these businesses are doing. We know the social business sector is growing, our recent mapping exercise showed that the sector now employs approximately 40,800 people and is worth an estimated £2.37bn to the Welsh economy. These businesses are delivering vital services and creating jobs and economic opportunities across Wales.”
“Looking at the applications there are some really inspirational businesses out there with real growth potential. We wish all our finalists the best of luck and look forward to seeing them at the awards.”
“We are delighted to have been shortlisted for this award,” said Sharon Jones. “The team are excited about attending the awards evening and meeting other inspiring social enterprises.”
The awards ceremony will take place in October at Llangollen Pavilion in Denbighshire.
The 2017 Leading Wales Awards (Wales’ long-established and only dedicated leadership awards) in association with The Institute of Leadership and Management have announced this year’s short list.
The award winning alumni include Laura Tenison MBE, Jo Jo Maman Bébé, Mario Kreft MBE, CEO of Pendine Park Care Homes, Kelly Davies, Managing Director of Vi-Ability, and Dr Sabine Maguire of Sparkle, South Gwent Children’s Foundation.
She has been nominated in the Leadership in Social Enterprise category for her leadership role and is one of 3 finalists in the category.
Barbara Chidgey, Chair of the Leading Wales Awards, said; “The shortlist reflects a very high standard and diverse range of leaders working in all sectors across Wales; our panels of judges will have a tough job on judging day on July 14th. On behalf of the Leading Wales Awards Consortium I would like to thank everyone who made the effort to nominate and share such fantastic examples of “Leaders in Wales”. It’s set to be another very exciting year for Wales’ only leadership awards.”
The winners will be announced at the lunchtime awards ceremony, which will take place at the Hilton Cardiff on Thursday 21st September. For more information please visit www.leadingwalesawards.co.uk