A family-run business which has created over 180 apprenticeships and provided hundreds of work-experience placements for young people in the North of Tyne, has become the 150th company to be accredited by the Good Work Pledge.
The Good Work Pledge is a campaign by North of Tyne Combined Authority which sets the standards for what good work should look like. Employers who sign up to the pledge are assessed against five criteria which includes paying a fair and decent wage, ensuring a safe working environment and supporting staff with their wellbeing.
The pledge consists of two levels, standard and advanced with a framework of support, mapping out what ‘good’ looks like and how businesses can achieve it.
Rothwell Plumbing Group based in North Sheilds received the award in recognition of their commitment to the local community and inclusive recruitment practices.
The specialist heating and renewables contractor has provided site-based and practical work experience placements and fast-track interviews for young people from deprived areas for almost 30 years, employing around 200 people across the North of England.
The group received the standard accreditation, been praised for inclusive recruitment practices and flexible working policies which have seen a higher-than-average number of women working at the company, with 22% of the organisation being women compared to the construction industry standard of 14%.
Mayor Jamie Driscoll with some of the Rothwell Plumbing Services Group team
The company also regularly donates hours of staff time to local causes to help their community including the Lovain Community Garden and the Grow & Eat project aimed at helping refugees.
Their community minded efforts also have seen them awarded the first ever North Tyneside VODA David Bavaird Award for being a ‘Community Minded Business’ in 2023.
80,500 people working at 150 companies across the North East are now in ‘good work’ thanks to the pledge, which is free to complete, with 150 more companies in talks to join soon.
Mayor Jamie Driscoll said:
“There are jobs and then there are good jobs.
“We created the Good Work Pledge with input from local people and trade unions.
“It’s about supporting and celebrating companies that want to do the right thing. That means paying a decent wage, providing career progression opportunities and giving employees a voice in the workplace.
“Every single one of the 5,377 jobs we’ve created is backed by this pledge. As the cost-of-living crisis continues, good work matters now more than ever.
“Thank you to those companies and charities that have taken the pledge so far and congratulations to Rothwell Plumbing for becoming the 150th company to gain accreditation.”
Graham Rothwell, Chief Executive, Rothwell Plumbing Services said:
“We are committed to generating local employment opportunities across the area and have been working from North Tyneside for over 15 years. As a time-served Heating Apprentice myself, we really understand the importance of creating opportunities and developing skilled workers into our business. We aim to help young people develop long term sustainable careers.
It’s fantastic to be the 150th business to be awarded to Good Work Pledge and is a testament to the local business community working together across the North of Tyne Combined Authority.”