Social value in action at Ashford Borough Council

When The Window Company (Contracts) was awarded Ashford Borough Council’s window and door replacement contract in 2024, the specialist commercial installer committed to supporting the Council’s social value programme – and it is being more than true to its word.

Two young brothers have been recruited to work on the contract via a Back to Work programme run in the Stanhope district of Ashford, and both are receiving training and mentoring to help them establish successful careers in construction.

Josh Twyman, now aged 18, was the first of the two to be offered a trainee role at The Window Company (Contracts) and he impressed the team so much with his hard work and eagerness to learn that they were only too willing to offer a similar opportunity to his younger brother Zach.

Josh started out as a Yard Assistant in the satellite warehouse site in Bethersden, which the firm has invested in to serve as the hub for the deliveries and installation team working on the Council contract, and has now progressed to an Improver Fitter role and is undertaking a NVQ Level 2 in window installation.

Zach meanwhile is on a window fitter apprenticeship programme and is receiving a mix of college and on the job training in Ashford, as well as valuable mentoring from the experienced fitters in the team – all of whom have been recruited from within Kent and 60% from the Ashford area.

David Thornton, The Window Company (Contracts)’ chairman, said: “We always want to make a positive impact in the communities where we work, and the Council have been ready and willing partners in helping us do that. 

“We are always willing to donate time, skills, equipment and resources to support all kinds of council social value programmes and members of our team are always willing to get involved because they find the projects so rewarding. 

“Recruiting Josh and Zach is something special though, because not only are we helping them make a successful transition into work, we’re setting them up for what could be long and successful careers working within their own community.”

Cllr Noel Ovenden, Leader of Ashford Borough Council and Cabinet Member for Housing, said: “Our social value programme means we are always looking to work with partners on creating opportunities to employ local people through our contracts. I’m pleased to hear these two young men are progressing well and I wish them all the best for a rewarding and enjoyable career.” 

The Window Company (Contracts)’ five-year agreement with ABC includes window and door replacement in many of the properties owned and managed by the council. In the first year of the contract, nearly 500 properties have already had new windows and doors fitted.

The Window Company (Contracts) is an award-winning commercial installer operating across London and the South East. Alongside the BSI Kitemark for Surveying and Installation, it also holds ISO9001, ISO45001 and ISO14001 and is PAS2030 accredited for SHDF-funded projects.

You can find out more information about The Window Company via their website.