SUNDERLAND
Welcome to the latest edition of the Wates electronic newsletter promoting the AESC UK project and its people!
Get in Touch
If you would like to get in touch with the Editorial Team to share any news stories for the next edition or provide more general feedback, drop us an email
contactenvision@wates.co.uk
POWERING
© Wates Group Limited 2024
WATES NEWSLETTER: ISSUE 2 - 2024
Area A - July saw the start of the Cell Production lower ceiling installation.
Areas A/E Clean/Dryrooms – July saw the commencement on the application of resin floor to associated areas.
Area B Line 4 enclosure construction nearing completion.
Area B Gebhardt (client process contractor) commenced on site on 15/07/24.
Client process equipment continues to arrive to site and resources are significantly increasing over the next few weeks.
Coventry - foundations completed and ground floor slabs in progress.
Coventry – fire protection to area B completed.
Coventry – additional steel structure for area B in fabrication.
External roads and hardstandings nearing completion (excluding topping).
Gas and water now available to site.
General low level cleaning started in July to Areas A/E/B Goods In/Out, external buildings.
Spotlight on...
Community Engagement
People have benefited from employment & skills initiatives
473
Social Value
Below are our top three social value stats achieved as of this month.
Click here to see a full list of our latest social value stats on Wates' AESC UK site.
Sub-Contractor
of the month
The Project
& its people
Click here to find out about the
people working to deliver the project.
Click here to find out
about this
month's planned Wellness activity
WELCOME
Welcome to the second edition of our newsletter for 2024. Firstly, I wanted to thank everyone for making the Summer Start Right events a tremendous success.
Through everyone’s hard work and efforts to date, the Client team are now integrated within site activities fitting out areas as and when released by the Operations team. Additionally, the Client Contractors Village is nearing completion and is set to be operational in August.
As we enter the holiday season, we
encourage everyone to take a
well-deserved break. Please switch off,
relax, and enjoy your time off. Thank
you for your continued efforts and
enjoy your holidays!
Students have visited site
804
People from the community
have been engaged in activities
341
New Penshaw Academy
Site Visit
18 May 2023
We had a fantastic afternoon welcoming 20 children from New Penshaw Academy to our site in Sunderland.
The children had taken part in our hoarding design competition and were receiving their certificates and prizes for their winning designs. Whilst on site they helped us plant our first plants and seeds in our allotment area and we all enjoyed a little game of pitch and putt in the sun afterwards.
An amazing way to introduce young people to the construction environment.
job vacancies
Click here to find out what vacancies are available on site.
St Wilfrid's RC College –
Mock Interviews
24 May 2023
Wates staff working on AESC UK’s gigafactory attended
St Wilfrid's RC College to take part in Mock Interviews with their year 12 students in a session organized by the North Yorkshire and Business Education Partnership (NYBEP).
73 students were interviewed by a mix of employers for approximately 15 minutes each on a rolling basis.
The students had questions prepared and the interviewers gave instant feedback to each student.
The staff enjoyed the event and the organisation of the whole day. We would love to attend similar events in the future.
Women in Property –
Site Visit
8 June 2023
Sixteen members of the Women in Property Association
visited site on 8 June 2023.
The members were welcomed with refreshments and a presentation from Nick White (Project Director - Wates) and David Lawson (Project Director – SES) about the build demonstrating the scale of the project as well as the use of offsite manufacturing.
The visitors also heard about the priority Wates puts on looking after the wellbeing of their staff and supply chain and giving back to the local community whilst working in the area.
The sixteen members were then given a tour of the on-site facilities available to staff and the supply chain and then taken out onto the building site to gain an appreciation of the scale of the building and discuss the build in further detail.
The event was an enormous success with all the members who attended and we are aiming to hold a further visit in the near future.
Richard Avenue Primary School – Site Visit
27 June 2023
A member of the School Council from Richard Avenue Primary School, a School Governor, a teacher and a pupil visited us on site to plant some of the plants which the school had grown from seed for us following receiving one of our gardening baskets earlier in the year.
We had great fun planting the vegetables in our allotment and showing him around the site facilities.
He even got dressed up in a hard hat, high visibility vest and glasses whilst we explained the importance of staff on site being safe.
An amazing way to introduce the school to the Wates site and we plan for future opportunities to engage with the school in activities such as further site visits and STEM activities.
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION NE – SITE VISIT
30 June 2023
Eight female students from Thornhill Academy visited site to explore construction – arranged by the National Association of Women in Construction NE.
The girls were given a safety induction before dressing up in PPE and going out onto site for a visit. The site visit gave them the opportunity to see first-hand the construction working environment and learn about the build and teams involved in the project.
Following the on site visit the girls heard from some of the amazing staff working on the AESC UK project, about their roles on the project, education and career paths.
It was a fantastic event in which the role of women in construction was promoted and open discussion was had, with regards to the skills shortage, diversity in construction and the need to promote the industry more to young women.
NAWIC: Design & Build
Challenge
4 May 2023
SUPPORTING NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
OF WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION
The Wates team working on the Envision AESC gigafactory supported a Design & Build Challenge event held at Sunderland College by NAWIC for Year 9 & 10 girls.
Over 30 girls from Monkwearmouth Academy, Thornhill School, Castle View Enterprise Academy and St Anthony’s Girls Catholic Academy attended the event.
The students had to Design & Build a structure from Lego, calculating the cost of the build and producing an outline design. The level of design and presentation by the girls was superb.
The winning team were ‘Wearmouth Warriors’ from Monkwearmouth Academy. They won £200 of Amazon Vouchers.
National Armed Forces & Emergency Services Event
27 April 2023
The Wates team working on the Envision AESC gigafactory sponsored a stand at the first NAFESE event held at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland on 27 April 2023. The event was the first of its kind to celebrate the Armed Forces and Emergency Services under one umbrella.
The event had an array of exhibitors and featured a STEM Village and a Recruitment and Resettlement Zone. The event covered recruitment to the Armed Forces and supporting units, recruitment to the NHS, Police, Fire Brigade and associated voluntary services, Armed Forces resettlement, transition and advice for those leaving the Emergency Services, a showcase of STEM activities for invited schools and youth groups, general advice for service personnel, veterans and families of both serving and veterans.
During the event two members of the Wates team - Aidan Rose and Sean Duffy gave a presentation on their own experiences leaving the Armed Forces and moving into a career in Construction.
St Anthony's Girls Catholic Academy Careers Fair
26 April 2023
We attended a very successful careers fair at St. Anthony's Girls Catholic Academy in Sunderland on 26 April 2023.
At the event we hosted a stand encouraging students to consider one of the many roles in construction. We engaged students using the ‘Go Construct’ website to match their skills and talents to construction career opportunities and discussed the many pathways available.
The event was a huge success with over 90 students visiting our stand and exploring potential construction careers.
NEXT STEPS:
Further engagement with St Anthony's Girls Catholic Academy is being arranged in the format of Site Visits and Work Placement opportunities.
Sandhill View Academy
Careers Carousel Site Visit
19 April 2023
11 students from Sandhill View Academy visited site on 19 April 2023 for a Careers Carousel Site Visit. The activity engaged Year 10 students interested in considering a career in construction. Students learnt about the construction development and heard from five members of the construction team in a variety of construction roles. The team members gave them an insight into their own education routes and career backgrounds providing an overview of their career journey to date. Students asked the team a range of questions regarding their likes and dislikes in their role, advice they would give to anyone wanting to pursue a career in construction and salary expectations.
NEXT STEPS:
A few of the students will be returning to site in the near future for work experience placements
Whitburn C of E Academy Apprenticeship Event
30 March 2023
Over 118 students and parents / carers attended the apprenticeship event held at Whitburn C of E Academy on 30 March 2023. The event was focused on Year 11, 12 and 13 students interested in considering an apprenticeship route to progress their careers.
Students visiting the Wates stand heard about the access routes with Wates and SES into an apprenticeship and the range of apprenticeships available. Some had already applied for apprenticeships with Wates and SES and were eager to learn about the Envision AESC project current being built in Sunderland.
NEXT STEPS:
Further engagement with Whitburn C of E Academy is being arranged in the format of Site Visits and Work Placement opportunities.
NEXT SOCIAL
TEAM NIGHT OUT
Future Plans
for the Project
Click here to fnd out what
is coming up on the project
SUMMER START RIGHT 2024
Plans for the project over next few weeks
Community Engagement
Social Activities & Wellness Events
5 December 2023, Banyan, Newcastle
June Stop Go Prize Winners
NEXT SOCIAL
TEAM NIGHT OUT
Date: Friday, 27 September 2024
Venue: Grand Hotel Gosforth Park Newcastle, High Gosforth Park, Newcastle, NE3 5HN
Congratulations to ISL who were awarded Sub-Contractor of the Month for not only achieving, but exceeding, the expected standards for Health & Safety compliance, outstanding quality control and consistent adherence to the working programme.
National Cholesterol Month
10/10/24 - World Mental Health Day
National Awareness Days/Weeks:
Every Tuesday – Fruit for All
Every Thursday – 12 noon – Lunchtime Walk
01/10/24 - HealthWorks - MOT's - Eat Well
STAFF WELLBEING EVENTS/ACTIVITIES:
08/10/24 - 10/10/24 - STEMFest
24/10/24 - South Tyneside Your Next Step Live Careers Event
VISITORS PLANNED ON SITE/IN SCHOOL:
N/A
CHARITY CAMPAIGN SUPPORT:
N/A
WATES DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION:
September - Suicide Prevention Month
06/09/24 - National Food Bank Day
10/09/24 - Worl Suicide Prevention Day
29/09/24 - Macmillan World's Biggest Coffee Morning
National Awareness Days/Weeks:
Every Tuesday – Fruit for All
Every Thursday – 12 noon – Lunchtime Walk
11/09/24 - Healthworks - MOT's - Exercise
STAFF WELLBEING EVENTS/ACTIVITIES:
TBC - Once schools return for the new academic year
VISITORS PLANNED ON SITE/IN SCHOOL:
27/09/24 - Charity Dinner in support of Suicide Prevention
CHARITY CAMPAIGN SUPPORT:
N/A
WATES DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION:
17/08/24 - World Honey Bee Day
National Awareness Days/Weeks:
Every Tuesday - Fruit for All
Every Thursday - 12 noon - Lunchtime Walk
08/08/24 - Healthworks - MOT's - Wellbeing
27/08/24 - Healthworks - MOT's Resilience
STAFF WELLBEING EVENTS/ACTIVITIES:
Due to School Holidays no visits are planned currently.
VISITORS PLANNED ON SITE/IN SCHOOL:
01/03/24 - WW&A - Endometriosis Awareness Day Webinar - 2-3pm
20/03/24 - R&A's - Check in and chat - 1pm
21/03/24 - P&C - Getting the best from Parental leave - 2-3pm
22/03/24 - P&C - A conversation with... Phil Shortman and Stewart Reid
27/03/24 - BOT - Spilling the tea - 1-2pm
WATES DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION:
august
september
october
Future Community/
staff Engagement
Welcome to the latest edition of the Wates electronic newsletter promoting the AESC UK project and its people!
17/08/24 - World Honey Bee Day
National Awareness Days/Weeks:
Every Tuesday – Fruit for All
Every Thursday – 12 noon – Lunchtime Walk
08/08/24 - HealthWorks - MOT's - Wellbeing
16/08/24 - AESC Project Honey Tasting
27/08/24 - HealthWorks - MOT's - Resilience
STAFF WELLBEING EVENTS/ACTIVITIES:
Due to School Holidays no visits are planned currently
VISITORS PLANNED ON SITE/IN SCHOOL:
N/A
CHARITY CAMPAIGN SUPPORT:
N/A
WATES DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION:
September - Suicide Prevention Month
06/09/24 - National Food Bank Day
10/09/24 - World Suicide Prevention Day
20/09/24 - World Clean Up Day
29/09/24 - Macmillan World's Biggest Coffee Morning
National Awareness Days/Weeks:
Every Tuesday – Fruit for All
Every Thursday – 12 noon - Lunchtime Walk
w/c 02/09/24 - Food Bank Items Collection
10/09/24 - World Suicide Prevention Day SPARK session
11/09/24 - HeathWorks - MOT's - Exercise
STAFF WELLBEING EVENTS/ACTIVITIES:
25/09/24 - Whitburn Academy Careers Event
VISITORS PLANNED ON SITE/IN SCHOOL:
27/09/24 - Charity Dinner in support of Suicide Prevention Month
CHARITY CAMPAIGN SUPPORT:
N/A
WATES DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION:
GO – Identified and organised information boards on site including well stocked first aid kits, eye wash and provisions for ear protection.
Keith Carr
Interceil
STOP – Identified someone working unsafely on a roof without edge protection.
Ore Okunagu
CARS
GO – Identified and organised information boards on site including well stocked first aid kits, eye wash and provisions for ear protection.
Keith Carr
Interceil
STOP – Identified someone working unsafely on a roof without edge protection.
Ore Okunagu
CARS
Identified clean and tidy work areas around site.
Tom Mcdonagh Howards
GO – Identified clean and tidy work areas around site.
Tom Mcdonagh
Howards
SUNDERLAND
The Project
& its people
POWERING
Site visits
We are happy to work with you to develop a bespoke activity for your group visit.
Contact Ashleigh Coombes via e-mail at contactenvision@wates.co.uk
Wates are looking to inspire the next generation in Construction and are opening their doors to children and community groups across Sunderland and South Tyneside.
Wates are working with schools and community groups
to offer fun and engaging activities on site for all ages.
These activities are designed to break down the misconceptions of working in the Construction industry; whilst highlighting the exciting opportunities and diversity in roles available - some of which many have no awareness of. Thus, encouraging people to consider a future career in the industry.
Visits to the Wates Envision AESC Construction site will allow people to experience first-hand what a multi-million-pound Construction development site looks like. Whilst also learning from inspiring construction leaders about their own career paths and other topics including planning, quality, teamwork, and sustainability.
Book Here
Get in touch!
Or book a visit direct via the ‘BOOK HERE’ option available.
BACK TO NEWSLETTER
If you are already one of our champions and not listed above, please send your details to contactenvision@wates.co.uk and we will add you to this section.
Project
Champions
We said farewell to Stephen Hesler in July.
BuildForce Mentor
Sean
Duffy
Charity Champion
Ashleigh
Coombes
Mental Health First Aider
Davey
Armstrong
Nick
White
James
Edgar
Social Value
Lilly
Reynolds
Scott
Knight
STEM Ambassadors
Davey
Armstrong
Eilish
Herring
Davey
Armstrong
Ashleigh
Coombes
Ashleigh
Coombes
Click here to see the latest organisational chart for the project
Organisation chart
This section is for you! We’d love to celebrate and promote any life events whether that be weddings, births, exam results, anything that you are proud of – please send through your information with a photograph to be included to contactenvision@wates.co.uk.
People on
Site this month
475
New Starters
Harry
Burns
Mark
Jordan
Darren
Ford
Mike
Flamson
James
Killick
Team Leavers
Team News
We’d like to hear from you – if you have a celebratory event which you’d like to share, births, marriages, special birthdays, personal achievements please send an e-mail to contactenvision@wates.co.uk and we’ll share your wonderful news.
If you would like to get in touch with the Editorial Team to share any news stories for the next edition or provide more general feedback, drop us an email
contactenvision@wates.co.uk
Get in Touch
© Wates Group Limited 2023
Kevin
McDougal
James
Moore
The Project & its people
POWERING
SUNDERLAND
BACK TO NEWSLETTER
If you would like to get in touch with the Editorial Team to share any news stories for the next edition or provide more general feedback, drop us an email
contactenvision@wates.co.uk
Get in Touch
© Wates Group Limited 2024
Sean
Duffy
Ashleigh
Coombes
Ashleigh
Coombes
Ashleigh
Coombes
Davey
Armstrong
Andrew
Bradshaw
Stephen
Carr
Jack
Ibbetson
Kelly
Hanley
Kevin
McDougal
Andrew
Fisher
Liam
Irving
Eilish
HEATLEY
Emilly
Bell
Nick
White
James
Edgar
Lilly
Reynolds
Scott
Knight
Davey
Armstrong
Davey
Armstrong
Eilish
HeATLEY
BuildForce
Mentor
Charity Champion
Mental Health First Aiders
Social Value Champions
STEM Ambassadors
Project Champions
If you are already one of our champions and not listed above, please send your details to contactenvision@wates.co.uk and we will add you to this section.
Team Leavers
Tony Ingledew
This section is for you! We’d love to celebrate and promote any life events whether that be weddings, births, exam results, anything that you are proud of – please send through your information with a photograph to be included to contactenvision@wates.co.uk.
Team News
People on
Site this month
1831
New Starters
Click here to see the
latest organisational
chart for the project
Organisation chart
If you would like to get in touch with the Editorial Team to share any news stories for the next edition or provide more general feedback, drop us an email
contactenvision@wates.co.uk
Get in Touch
© Wates Group Limited 2024
We said thank you and farewell to:
Chris
Dornan
Adam
Burnikell
Special Acknowledgement
Congratulations to Toni, Anna, Aldona and Julie who have been presented with £50 Amazon vouchers for the sterling job they do as our cleaning team on site.
Cleaners are often overlooked but not on the AESC UK site!
Ben
Ferguson
Chris
Dornan
Adam
Burnikell
Keith
Aston
Kevin
Jackson
Sam
Humphrey
Ryan
Gregg
Ben
Ferguson
Philip
Loftus
Nathan
Jones
Lewis
Johnson
Keith
Aston
Steve Price
Congratulations
to James Edgar who got married at the end of March.
Congratulations
Huge congratulations go to the following people – well done on receiving your recent promotions.
Nick Aitken
Ashleigh Coombes
Rowan Hall Beasley
Jack Ibbetson
Paul Mullen
Lilly Reynolds
Nathan
Jones
Lewis
Johnson
Sam
Humphrey
Ryan
Gregg
Adam
Millar
Magdalena Malinowska
Tony Ingledew
Congratulations
Huge congratulations go to the following people – well done on receiving your recent promotions.
Steve Beck
James
Smith
Craig
Powell
Andrew
Minton
Adam
Millar
Magdalena Malinowska
POWERING
SUNDERLAND
The Project & its people
BACK TO NEWSLETTER
James
Smith
Craig
Powell
Andrew
Minton
Philip
Loftus
Kevin
Jackson
Steve Beck