Helpingyou to buildabrightfuture

Wolverhampton Homes caught up with some of itsapprentices past andpresent this National Apprenticeship Week,tohighlight how they aresupportingthe communityand working towardsapromising future in thehousing industry.

Theirlatestcohorts, whojoined thecompany in Marchand September2021, areall from theWolverhamptonareaand aged between17 and24.

Experience

They areundertaking bricklaying, carpentry, electrical,plumbing andgas apprenticeships, of between twoand four years.

They aregaining hands-on experience shadowingtradescolleagues, some of whom areformerapprentices whohavequalified andsecured rewardingcareers within WolverhamptonHomes. Theapprentices arealso enrolled at Wolverhampton Collegewhere they arestudyingfor theirchosenaccreditation.

Tia, aged 21,who is completing atwo-yearbricklaying apprentice- ship,said: “I’velived inWolverhamptonall my life andit’sa great feelinggivingbacktothe community,withlotsofmyfriends andfamilylivinginahome that’s managed by WolverhamptonHomes.

“I’vebeenwelcomedintothe organisation with open arms, andI’ve valued theguidancefromexperienced tradespeople.

“I hope to inspireotherstoapply forfutureapprenticeships as they areagreat waytonetwork and learnonthe job.”

Alex,aged23, is aqualified plumberand apprenticeship coach. He said:“IjoinedWolverhampton Homesasan apprentice in 2017 andnever looked back.Iappreciated theguidancefrommy mentor andasa result have become highly qualified.I’m luckyenoughtohave supportedthe communitywithour repairsservice ever since.

“I’m nowa mentor andenjoy helpingthose newtothe trade. I wish ournew apprenticesall the best whiletheyare building their future with us.”

Through itshighlysuccessful apprenticeship programme, WolverhamptonHomesisworking with the City of WolverhamptonCounciland itspartnersas ‘One City’. Theirmission is to tackle youth unemployment in Wolverhampton, empoweryoung people to unlock their potential, and provide opportunitiesfor earlytalentto flourish ShaunAldis, ChiefExecutive of WolverhamptonHomes, said:“Developing localtalentiskey to our vision of unlockingpeople’spotential throughhousing,skillsand technology

Talent

“Our apprenticeship programme has seen many young people in the city go on to secure permanentemployment andwe’ve gained some real talent

“Our apprenticesare pairedwith experiencedcolleagues, many of whom also started as apprentices. As aresult, they arewelllookedafterand given theprogramme’s successfultrack record,become great assets to thecompany.”

In 2022,Wolverhampton Homes is lookingtotakeonapprentices, both trades andoffice.The company is also finalising itsgraduate programme, creating more opportunitiestojointhe team andsupport communities acrossthe city