March 2007

Aquila, Cardiff Bay - One Bed Apartments Sold Out… A Few Superb Two Beds Remaining

Act Now – Before It's Too Late!

Fabulous Show Apartment Now Available

You need to be quick if you like the idea of stylish apartment living in Cardiff Bay at an affordable price. At CCHA’s prestigious new development at Aquila (next to Celestia), the one bedroom apartments are now sold out. Right now we’ve only got six excellent 2 bedroom apartments available; and at £99,400* can you afford to miss out? Interested in finding out more? If so:

• Come along to the open days on the 10th March 2007 or 11th March 2007 at Aquila, tour the building and view our superb show apartment furnished by IKEA
• Get the full details by visiting www.myplaceinthebay.co.uk right now
• Call 029 2087 3643 or 029 2087 3621, or e-mail LCHO@cardiff.gov.uk.

* Prices Subject to final valuation.

Shown below are some pictures of the IKEA show flat - to see more pictures visit our February 2007 news page.

Breaking Down Employment Barriers Within BME Communities

On 1st and 2nd February 2007, the Housing Employment Workshop Group organised a “Successful Application and Interview Techniques in Housing” Workshop in Cardiff. This was led by Cardiff Community, Grwp Gwalia Cyf, Hendre Housing and Wales and West, with help on the day from United Welsh and Linc Cymru. The workshop was also facilitated by Marilyn Bryan, a well-known training consultant specialising mainly in diversity and equal opportunities.

Twenty people from Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) backgrounds attended the workshop, all of whom had previously expressed an interest in working in the housing sector. The workshop specifically focused on techniques to enable BME candidates to successfully complete application forms, get through the short listing stage and provide hints and tips on interview performance.

The idea of an employment workshop was borne out of the recognition of a clear shortfall of applications from people of BME backgrounds for employment in Housing Associations working in Wales. The aim was to help BME candidates bridge the gap between applying for a job, being invited to attend an interview, and ultimately securing a job within the sector.

The workshop also offered them more information about a career in the housing profession.

The two day event was highly interactive and was deemed a huge success. The attendees, from a diverse range of backgrounds, were invited to discuss key person specification criteria, completed a mock application form and practiced interview techniques, all with tutorial support and feedback in order to consolidate the information provided. A video of a model interview was also shown, as well as a ‘worst case scenario’ interview which demonstrated the questionable acting abilities of some of the staff involved! Those who attended the workshop viewed presentations, received handouts on key topics, and were encouraged to ask questions relating to employment issues often associated with BME candidates. Everyone agreed how enjoyable and rewarding the two days had been, and there was a real sense of achievement for all those involved.
    
Facilitators from the Housing Associations were extremely impressed by the potential of the attendees, and how much their confidence had grown over the two days. The workshop also raised awareness of the perceived and real barriers faced by BME applicants, and how these can be overcome by employers. On-going discussions are being held to offer work placements as a result of the workshop, and following the success and over-subscription of this event, future workshops are being planned by the Group throughout Wales.

To learn more about BME click here.
 

CCHA – No More The Bridesmaid!

After several years of being the ‘bridesmaid’, CCHA, in partnership with Leadbitter Construction won the Cardiff County Council ‘Built in Quality’ Award in the ‘Volume Builders’ section, at the award ceremony held in early January 2007. We won the award for the St. Phillip Evans Close development at Coed-y-Gores, Cardiff; the scheme was built by Leadbitter, as part of the Cardiff Partnering Scheme We have reached the final, in at least one of the categories, for a number of years; it was pleasing to ultimately triumph and a credit to our team for the consistent quality they are producing, and their persistence.

Our thanks go to our team and Leadbitter Construction.
 
Also featured as a finalist in the Demolition and Rebuilding category was Tony G Harris Construction for his excellent work on CCHA's on going regeneration program.

To learn more about our building programme Click Here!

After several years of being the ‘bridesmaid’, CCHA, in partnership with Leadbitter Construction won the Cardiff County Council ‘Built in Quality’ Award in the ‘Volume Builders’ section, at the award ceremony held in early January 2007. We won the award for the St. Phillip Evans Close development at Coed-y-Gores, Cardiff; the scheme was built by Leadbitter, as part of the Cardiff Partnering Scheme.

NEXT UPDATE: APRIL 2007