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Trailbazer Commits To Magnificent Seven
Emplas has committed to its 'Trailblazer' role with the appointment of eight new apprenticeships to seven roles before the end of this year. This...
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Caring For The Community
Emplas is supporting a pioneering community programme designed to support people get into work, develop new skills and regenerate and improve the thermally efficiency of homes.
The Community Impact Initiative (Cii) is an award-winning, not-for-profit social enterprise based in South Wales.
The core mission is to transform lives and reinvigorate communities by regenerating long-term empty homes and using those projects as a platform to support individuals facing barriers to employment or social participation.
“We provide positive opportunities for people in the community by building skills, giving people the opportunity to meet new people and to build and improve their confidence, through the regeneration of empty homes,” explains Ellen McCubbin, the marketing & communications officer at Cii.
“The houses we take on tend to be big projects – wholesale refurbishment – homes, which would otherwise be left in a derelict or semi-derelict condition. We’re not a construction company, what we do is give people the opportunity to develop new skills and in the process, renovate properties to fund future schemes.”
Building participation
McCubbin adds: “Empty homes have a very negative impact on communities. By breathing new life into them, we’re also improving the communities we work in.”
Those supported by the Cii span from 16 years old and upwards, coming via college programmes or local council referrals. Many have struggled to find or maintain stable employment, are often young or socially isolated.
The Cii schemes offer participants a chance to build new skills, gain confidence and access new career pathways. “It’s a lot of learning for the participants and they can join us for various reasons,” McCubbin says. “Some join to get used to the practical skills side of things. Some join to just meet new people and try something different and be a bit more active.
“It gives them a lot of direction. It’s especially important for younger people, fresh out of school or college, not really sure what they want to do.”
Career building
Cii projects aim to give those who sign up to the scheme practical hands-on skills in a real working environment, construction qualifications including CSCS cards and support to forge a career within the sector.
“You see it all the time on the projects. The participants come in wanting to be a brickie and then they spend time on the project and get to do carpentry,” says McCubbin.
Emplas
Emplas is supporting two flagship regeneration schemes in Merthyr Tydfil and Aberdare. This includes supplying seven windows manufactured in the ultra-energy efficient Profile 22 system and PVC-U front, back and sliding patio doors for the property in Aberdare.
Picture: Merthyr Tydfil is a year-long initiative focusing on sustainable construction and energy efficiency. The project aims to support participants to better understand how individual and collective actions can have a positive environmental impact. This includes how insulation and energy efficient building materials, including energy efficient windows and doors, can be used to insulate homes to reduce energy consumption.
Article written by Cathryn Ellis
30th July 2025