whg smashes apprenticeship target

• 7th February 2022

Customers

whg has announced it has smashed its apprenticeship target, ahead of this year’s National Apprenticeship Week.

The leading Midlands’ housing association made it its aim to have 25 trainees, graduates and apprentices within the business each year, and has surpassed that target with 33 apprentices now employed across the organisation.

As part of National Apprenticeship Week, which takes place from 7 to 13 February, whg is sharing the success stories of some of these apprentices and those who have progressed into full time roles and show how the scheme is supporting local people into a career in housing.

One of these is Aimee.  Three years ago, Aimee was working as a hairdresser, but desperately wanted to change careers. She joined whg as an apprentice and was delighted to be offered a role as a Governance and Compliance Officer upon completion.

She said: “The apprenticeship sounded like a great opportunity since I didn’t want to spend time achieving a qualification without working in the environment my qualification was based around. The role gave me a fantastic overview of Governance from the ground up and helped to rapidly increase my knowledge and skills.”

Another great example is Trainee Repairs Team Leader Sam. Sam started his career with us as a Maintenance Operations Apprentice more than ten years ago. He then moved onto a painting and decorating role as an improver before becoming a trainee carpenter. He is now a multi-skilled carpenter with a whole range of trades skills under his belt and is taking that first step up into a role with people management responsibilities.

Sam said: “The apprenticeship gave me a job. I never thought I would become a manager, but the apprenticeship have me the experience I needed and the confidence to progress in my career.”

Corporate Director of People and Learning Theresa Huburn said: “At whg we don’t just provide homes. As a community organisation we want to be able to support local people into jobs, and the apprenticeship scheme is a great way for us to do that.

“We’re delighted to be inspiring and training so many people through the scheme, many of whom will progress on to permanent positions with us. It’s a great opportunity for us to build a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.”

Apprentice vacancies with whg will be promoted on whg’s Facebook page and website in the Spring.