At a Glance
- Tasks: Deliver hands-on minor works projects, improving home environments with immediate results.
- Company: Join Orchard Care Homes, a community-focused organisation dedicated to quality care.
- Benefits: Enjoy a £35,000 salary, career development, and hundreds of discounts every month.
- Other info: Flexible working hours, excellent recognition schemes, and support for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact while enjoying autonomy and variety in your work.
- Qualifications: Proven trade qualifications and 5 years' experience in Joinery, Plumbing, or Electrical.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 35000 £ per year.
Salary: £35,000 per annum
We’re looking for a skilled Minor Works Operative to join our Estates team, delivering high-impact, planned minor works across our estate. This is a hands-on role for an experienced multi-skilled tradesperson with strengths in joinery, plumbing and minor electrical works, who enjoys autonomy, variety and seeing the immediate results of their work. You’ll play a key role in improving home environments through efficient, cost-effective delivery of minor works—reducing reliance on framework contractors and achieving strong value for money.
Key Responsibilities
- Deliver a wide range of minor works projects across the estate, including:
- Kitchenettes
- External structures such as pergolas, fencing, sheds and smoking shelters
- Scope works end-to-end, including materials, timescales and costs
- Self-deliver works in line with agreed programmes, remaining flexible and responsive to business needs
- Maintain cost-avoidance tracking against framework contractor costs
- Complete dynamic and task-specific RAMS, promoting a proactive and safe working culture
- Produce before-and-after reports to demonstrate impact and value
- Work collaboratively with stakeholders and respond to audit or inspection outputs (including CQC-related environment actions)
About You
You’ll be a practical, organised and commercially aware professional who enjoys planning your own workload and delivering quality outcomes.
Essential Requirements
- Proven trade qualifications in Joinery, Plumbing or Electrical (City & Guilds or equivalent)
- Minimum 5 years’ trade experience
- Strong working knowledge across multiple trade disciplines
- Experience creating and using RAMS (dynamic and task-specific)
- Confident IT skills, including spreadsheets and basic reporting
- Full clean UK driving licence
- Flexible approach to travel and working hours
Desirable
- IOSH or IWFM certification
- Willingness to upskill (e.g. flooring, advanced plumbing, bathrooms/wet rooms)
Everything You’ll Love
- Salary: £35,000 per annum
- Career development from day one, with clear progression pathways
- Hundreds of colleague discounts every month across shopping, holidays, dining, tech, and more
- Excellent employee recognition schemes such as ‘Making a Difference” award and Long Service Awards
- Free emotional, practical, and financial support that’s fully confidential, through a helpline and wellbeing app that’s available 24/7, all year round
- Company-supported pension scheme to invest in your future
- Fully funded DBS check
Apply Now
If you're ready to bring your skills to a dynamic team and make a real impact, we’d love to hear from you. Apply today and help us deliver excellence across our estates operations.
About Orchard Care Homes
Orchard Care Homes has been providing care for older people for over 15 years. We are committed to being at the heart of the local community and delivering the same level of care that we would all wish for our loved ones. We believe in investing in our people. Your professional development will be actively encouraged, with plenty of training and progression opportunities across our portfolio of homes.
We proudly support the Armed Forces community and welcome applications from veterans, reservists, and military spouses as part of our commitment to the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme. We value the unique skills and experiences that service personnel bring and are dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive.
Minor Works Operative in Harrogate employer: Orchard Care Homes
Orchard Health Care Group is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work environment at Green Park Nursing Home in Warrington. With a strong focus on employee growth, we provide excellent training and progression opportunities from day one, alongside recognition schemes that celebrate your contributions. Join our award-winning team dedicated to delivering outstanding, person-centred care, and enjoy benefits such as NMC PIN renewal support and access to a 24/7 Employee Support Hub.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Minor Works Operative in Harrogate
✨Get Your Hands Dirty
In skilled trades, practical experience is everything. Consider volunteering or doing odd jobs in your area to build up your skills and visibility. Local businesses often appreciate helping hands and it might just lead to a full-time gig!
✨Join Trade Associations
Look into joining organisations specific to your trade (like the National Federation of Builders or similar). They often have job boards, networking events, and apprenticeships that can put you in touch with employers who value skilled workers. Plus, being part of these communities adds credibility to your profiles!
✨Showcase Your Work Online
Craft a portfolio that highlights your craftsmanship—before and after photos, project descriptions, and client testimonials are all golden! Share this on platforms that cater to skilled trades, like Instagram or dedicated forums, to attract potential employers looking for your skillset.
✨Apply Directly and Follow Up
Don’t just rely on job boards—visit local businesses, introduce yourself, and drop off your CV. Building rapport face-to-face can work wonders in the skilled trades sector. And remember, following up after applying through our website shows dedication; it might just give you an edge over other candidates!
We think you need these skills to ace Minor Works Operative in Harrogate
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Skills with Certificates:In the skilled trades world, your practical skills and certifications are key! Make sure you highlight any relevant qualifications or training you've completed. If you’ve got a trade-specific certificate, like an NVQ or City & Guilds, include it in your CV to catch Orchard Care Homes's eye.
Tailor Your CV to the Job:Don’t just send out a generic CV; tailor it specifically for the skilled trades role at Orchard Care Homes. Emphasise your hands-on experience, the tools and techniques you’re proficient in, and any notifiable compliance standards you've met. This shows that you’ve put thought into your application.
Highlight Your Projects or Achievements:Don’t forget to showcase any significant projects or achievements in your cover letter. Whether it’s completing a complex installation or meeting deadlines on a large project, these details make a big difference. They help paint a picture of your expertise and dedication!
Keep It Concise and Relevant:When applying for a full-time role in skilled trades, keep your writing to the point. Hiring managers appreciate clear, concise applications. Focus on relevant experiences and skills, and avoid fluff. Remember, they’re looking for someone who can get the job done—so show them you can!
How to prepare for a job interview at Orchard Care Homes
✨Master the Hands-On Skills
In skilled trades, practical skills matter a ton. Be ready to showcase your hands-on abilities during the interview—whether it's through a practical test or a demonstration of your craftsmanship. Bring your best examples of past projects to discuss them in detail!
✨Know Your Tools Like the Back of Your Hand
Employers in the skilled trades often want to hear about your proficiency with specific tools and equipment. Brush up on the tools relevant to your field and be prepared to discuss your experiences using them. This shows you’re not just experienced but also safe and competent.
✨Be Ready to Talk About Safety Practices
Safety is paramount in skilled trades. Be prepared to discuss your knowledge of safety regulations and how you've implemented them in previous roles. This will demonstrate your commitment to a safe working environment—a quality that employers highly value.
✨Show Off Your Problem-Solving Skills
When tackling skilled trade roles, employers want to know about your ability to think on your feet. Be ready with examples of how you've solved unexpected problems on the job. This will illustrate your adaptability and resourcefulness, key traits for a full-time position at Orchard Care Homes.
