Apprentices have played a key role in an award-winning Bradford housing refurbishment project The scheme by Keepmoat Property Services involved improving around 500 homes on behalf of the Bradford-based housing association Accent Group.

It led to the appointment of five apprentices who worked at Accent’s Bradford training centre.

Overall, the award-winning project involved improving more than 2,500 homes across Yorkshire. Keepmoat Property Services won the project of the year prize at the Committed To Construction In West Yorkshire Awards.

The scheme involved installing new kitchens and bathrooms and fitting electrical upgrades to 488 homes on behalf of the Accent Group.

As part of the £5 million a year project, Keepmoat installed 378 new kitchens and 488 new bathrooms, as well as making adaptations to 96 properties for elderly and disabled residents.

The electrical upgrades, which saw Leeds-based Keepmoat install 36 heating systems, is estimated to save the Accent Group £480 per property and a total of £17,280 across one housing scheme alone.

Keepmoat has improved more than 2,500 properties and 200 estates in Yorkshire over the last five years.

The company, which employs more than 500 staff, offered two work experience placements and took on five apprentices who were based at the Bradford training centre.

The apprenticeship programme saw youngsters such as 19-year-old Declan Hall given the opportunity to earn money while learning new skills and kick off a career in the construction and maintenance industry.

Keepmoat staff donated more than 345 hours helping 30 community events in Bradford and West Yorkshire.

Helen Francis, business development director for Keepmoat, said: “This award win is real evidence of the excellent work our staff carry out, the focus we place on helping the communities in which we work and the commitment we make to provide excellent customer service for our clients.

“This refurbishment contract has seen us further strengthen our relationship with Accent Group having carried out responsive repairs and maintenance works for Accent’s 7,000 northern properties over the last five years.”

Accent Group resident Jayne Hamill, of Clough Street, Bradford, said: “The whole team, including the contractors, have been an absolute pleasure.

“They have maintained high standards when working in my home and they deserve the recognition of a job well done.”