4 • FROMTHEEDITOR
The Locksmith Journal recently paid a visit to the new dedicated Iseo department at the premises of architectural hardware specialist, M. Marcus Ltd, in Dudley. While there, we also got to meet the new technical support executive, Veeru Harrad, and were also given a tour and pottedhistory of the company by Neil Sheane- Smith, Commercial Manager of Security Products. Read the full report from our visit on page 52 and discover what the new department means to the future strategy of the company, with some exciting new product launches in store!
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ON PAGE 5, RESIDENT LOCKSMITHS at Safehaven Security Locks Ltd, Matt Nemeth and Tom Shelley, explain how they have been generating substantial donations for local charities from the scrap metal accumulated from their work and are hoping to inspire others to do the same. Read on to find out more about their‘ Heart of Brass’ campaign.
Congratulations to UPVC Maintenance Supplies and UK door and window hardware manufacturer, Winlock Security, celebrating 25 and 30 years in business, respectively. We speak to UPVC Maintenance Supplies Marketing Manager, Janet Webster, to find out about the company’ s past and present and what has contributed to its success on page 12. Then on page 56, Winlock says it is its desire for innovation that has intensified rather than diminished over its three decades in business, which is the driving force behind its continuing success.
Something a little out of the ordinary on page 26, with a‘ Day in the Life of a Locksmith’ from across the pond, with a guest contribution from owner and operator of America’ s Lock and Key,
Efi Amoyal, who has been a locksmith for over 10 years in Tampa, Florida. Efi shares one particular encounter when he was asked to change the locks on what was assumed to be a vacant rental property.
Finally, if you are looking to enhance your skills or get to grips with new technological advancements this year, there are various training courses available on pages 30, 32 and 35.
Becky, Editor becky @ cvgroup. co. uk
FREE WORKSHOP AIMS TO INSPIRE MORE WOMEN INTO THE TRADES
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IN FEBRUARY, WOMEN FROM across London attended a free‘ trade’ taster workshop focused on Repairs & Maintenance and organised by Mears Group, the leading provider of maintenance services to social housing, working in partnership with Construction Youth Trust.
After the success of the first two workshops last year in Nottingham and Cardiff, a third Taster Day was held at the Construction Youth Trust, Training Centre in Bermondsey.
The series of workshops around the UK aims to provide a practical and inspiring learning experience for women who wish to‘ have a go’ at a trade before deciding on whether to pursue a career in building maintenance.
The taster session consisted of practical training work in several trade skills including plumbing, joinery, and painting and decorating led by a qualified trades trainer. The women were also informed of career opportunities in the Repairs & Maintenance sector and the progression and support systems open to them.
Another 3 taster sessions are planned for this year in Manchester, Brighton, and Canterbury.
One of the participants commented:“ We need more of these initiatives for every borough … I wish I had brought all the women I know to this event.”
Gainor Keeton, Mears Project Manager, said,“ Only 1 % of construction trade operatives in the construction sector are female. We are determined to do better than this and to increase the number of tradeswomen across the social housing building maintenance sector. We also support other organisations to get the message out that there are good careers for women to be had in social housing maintenance. This is not only the right thing to do but we know that the best workforce is one which reflects the communities in which we serve.”
Wendy Heller, Training, Development and Curriculum Manager at Construction Youth Trust commented,“ 15 women came through the door today with very little or no previous knowledge or experience of the building repairs and maintenance sector. After participating in various tasks and workshops, 11 confirmed they would now happily consider a career in the sector. Clearly, knowledge is the key here.”
LOCKSMITHJOURNAL. CO. UK | MAR / APR 2017