Welcoming new recruits to our growing apprenticeship programme
Wednesday 27 September 2023
We have recently welcomed eight apprentices to our growing team, including two via our VIP apprenticeship events.
Since the launch of Beyond Housing in 2018, we have taken on 58 apprentices in a bid to provide local people with a career path of their choosing. As apprentices, the talented individuals will spend their time learning about their profession at college whilst also completing practical hours each week in areas such as electrical, joinery, painting, HR, and business administration.
Last year, we introduced VIP apprenticeship information sessions to encourage our customers to take advantage of the apprenticeship opportunities on offer and become valued colleagues in the Beyond Housing team.
With support from the Employability team, and fitting the criteria, Olivia Lillystone and Rosanna Knowles completed the VIP apprenticeship sessions and are now joining Beyond Housing as business administration apprentices. Julie Owen, age 37, is another Beyond Housing customer who has secured a role as an apprentice bricklayer.
Other new recruits include Miles Roberts, who is undertaking an apprenticeship in surveying, which, once completed, will see him become an associate member of the highly regarded Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).
Jack Spark and Zac Whitfield also join the group of new recruits as apprentice electricians, alongside Josh Froom, who joins as an apprentice painter, and Joe Collins-May, who is undertaking an apprenticeship in HR support.
The new starters have begun their work-based training with Apprentice and Volunteer Team Leader, Maria Taylor, who recently held an introductory brunch in Whitby, to talk them through what to expect in the coming months.
Maria said: “We are delighted to welcome all our new apprentices to our team at Beyond Housing.
“For many years we have been committed to our apprenticeship programme and providing local people with a variety of learning and employment opportunities.
“We are passionate about raising aspirations, reducing inequality, and ensuring that our workforce reflects the communities we serve. Our VIP apprenticeship sessions are designed to give our customers the information and support they need to succeed, regardless of their background or circumstances, and it’s been amazing to find some really talented individuals through these sessions and welcome them to the team”.
Business Admin Apprentice Olivia Lillystone said: “As a Beyond Housing customer I was aware of the employability support offered by the company so, being unsure of my career direction on leaving college, I joined their youth employment initiative (YEI) programme.
“I received invaluable help with my CV, advice on completing job applications, and an introduction to the many vacancies and apprenticeships that were available. I was guided through the apprentice application, interview and assessment process and felt fully supported by the team at every stage. I’m now secure in my new role as a business admin apprentice and very happy to feel part of the Beyond Housing family.”
Apprentice Bricklayer Julie Owens added: “As a Beyond Housing customer I have seen at first-hand what a great company they would be to work for, so I have regularly checked the website for employment vacancies.
“A bricklaying apprenticeship opportunity really caught my eye, something I would really love to do, but as a 37-year-old woman might I be considered too old or unsuitable to apply for the role? Nothing ventured, nothing gained though, so I sent off my application.
“With advice and help from the Employment Support team and other apprentices, I learned as much as I could about the company and its values before tackling the interview and assessment.
“Happily, I was successful, and, because of Beyond Housing, I now have a home and security for me and my children and an opportunity to better myself doing something that I never thought would be possible. They really do put their equality and diversity policy into practice and the support and opportunities they provide to their customers and apprentices are second to none.”
