SMaRT
Location: Weaste, Salford, Greater Manchester
- About the project
- Business Services
- Work placements
- Work-related skills and qualifications
- Referrals
- Our funders
- Contact us
About the project
SMaRT runs a garage service centre with a strong customer-base drawn from the local community. Our business operates as a social enterprise delivering a high quality service at competitive prices whilst providing the long-term unemployed and others disadvantaged within the job market, with an opportunity to develop skills in the automotive trade, customer services and office administration.
SMaRT gives people access to the demands and challenges of real work so that they can gain the experience and confidence needed to get back to work. We place a strong emphasis on people’s personal development – each individual is seen as an important member of the team.
Hazel Blears MP, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, heaped praise on the work done by SMaRT when she visited the project in 2006. [Photo by David Burrows]
The Business
Garage services
- MOT Testing, servicing and repairs.
- Pick up/drop off from customer available.
- SMaRT is listed on The Good Garage Scheme
- We also offer a free collection and recycling of unwanted and abandoned vehicles.
What our customers say
“My son had an emergency with his car. I called this garage for a service and repair. I was impressed from the moment the phone was answered until I drove his car away, excellent.” SMaRT customer
More on SMaRT business services.
Work placements
Last year, SMaRT delivered 136 work placements. We provide a number of work and training opportunities in the following sectors.
- Automotive trade.
- Vehicle disassembly.
- Customer service.
- Buildings maintenance.
- Administrative and clerical.
What I got out of SMaRT
“For nine months I didn't leave the house – now I want to get out of bed in the mornings. I've never enjoyed doing anything so much – SMaRT has exceeded my expectations in terms of what I thought it was possible to do. My future definitely lies in mechanics and here I am studying qualifications that will help me to get a job!" Anna
Work-related skills and qualifications
Our work placements provide on-the job training. Each worker has a personal development plan which tracks their progress towards becoming ready to move on to paid employment, alternative voluntary work or further education.
SMaRT offers workforce members the opportunity to acquire the following work-related skills:
General
- The basic skills required by employers such timekeeping, ability to work in a team and a positive attitude towards work.
Skills specific to the automotive trade
- Car servicing.
- Assisting with MOTs.
- Carrying out repairs of vehicles (brakes/clutches/engine diagnostics/engine repairs).
- General maintenance/cleaning of garage.
- Car valeting.
Office administration
- All aspects of office administration including computer skills, data inputting, following office procedures etc.
- Financial administration such as working with invoices, petty cash, processing cheques, paying suppliers, ordering supplies etc.
Customer service
- Understanding the need to deliver high-quality service, dealing with customers, promoting business services.
Employment development
- Interviewing techniques, research, liaising with third parties.
Qualifications available
- First Aid Certificate, St Johns Ambulance.
- Health and Safety Foundation Certificate, British Safety Council.
- Fire Risk Assessment, British Safety Council.
- Customer Service NVQ Level 2.
- Automotive Vehicle Maintenance Entry Level 3, City and Guilds.
- Literacy (Salford College) – Skills for Life at various levels.
- Numeracy (Salford College) – Skills for Life at various levels.
- Basic ICT Certificate (Salford College).
SMaRT also supports workforce members achieve higher levels of qualifications where appropriate.
Referrals
- Self-referral or carers.
- GPs.
- Community mental health teams.
- Employment agencies.
- Voluntary organisations.
- Connexions.
- Probation services.
Why I refer people to SMaRT
“SMART is an impressive programme. There is a robust, focused programme, delivered by committed staff, aimed at enabling people to raise their self-esteem and make a positive contribution to their community.” Tom McDonald, Director of Joint Commissioning and Deputy Director, Community, Health and Social Care
Our funders
We would like to thank our funders, Big Lottery Fund, Salford Primary Care Trust and the Community, Health and Social Care Directorate, Salford Council for their continuing support.
Contact us
SMaRT Service Centre
Unit 2 Oakwood Trading Estate
Mode Wheel Road
Salford M5 5DQ
Tel: 0161 743 0800
Fax: 0161 743 0050
Email: Please use our enquiry form
Visitor information
By tram: Metrolink to Weaste.
By bus: no. 33.
By car: car parking available on-site.