Apprentices start at Broadacres

Broadacres welcomes its newest apprentices this week.

After building a free-standing tower using spaghetti, taking a ‘selfie’ and undergoing a speed interview, Broadacres’ newest apprentices should have no problem doing their day jobs!

Broadacres recently took on four new apprentices Jack Heads (Apprentice Bricklayer), Isaac Maury (Apprentice Heating Engineer), Edward Kerridge (Apprentice Joiner) and Boden Skelton (Apprentice Electrician). The quartet will now shadow members of Broadacres Property Services Team and get hands-on experience over the next three years. At the same time, they will also attend Middlesbrough College, where they will study for an NVQ Level 2 and 3 in their respective disciplines.

Jack, 23, from Bedale, said: “I went to college and then did a number of jobs, but I have always wanted to learn a trade and even after a few weeks I am already laying bricks and soon I will be out on site full-time.”

Isaac, 16, from Thirsk, said: “My uncle is a heating engineer and he recommended that this was a good trade to get in to so I am looking forward to learning as much as I can at Broadacres over the next three years.”

Edward, 17, from Thirsk, said: “I have always enjoyed making things so joinery seemed the logical step for me and I am already getting hands-on experience, which is fantastic.”
Boden, 18, from Middlesbrough, said: “I started an electrical course at college, but in just a few weeks at Broadacres I have learned more than I did on two years on the course so I already know that an apprenticeship is right for me.”

Jack, Isaac, Edward and Boden were appointed following a rigorous recruitment process which saw over 200 people applying for the positions.

80 people were then invited for initial assessments, which involved them undertaking several tasks, including taking a selfie, working in groups to design and build the tallest, free-standing tower using items such as spaghetti and sweets, choosing what essential items they would need to build a new community and being asked questions by Broadacres’ staff in a speed interview format.
A final shortlist was then drawn up and candidates were invited to a formal interview.

Sally Baxter, Broadacres’ Human Resources Officer, said: “This is the second year we have used assessments and they are useful because it enables us to look at the individual personalities of each candidate and to see how they work independently and as part of the team.

“Jack, Isaac, Edward and Boden had to work hard to get to the where they are now, but we are confident we have got four excellent apprentices who will excel in their new roles.
“We are looking forward to seeing them develop. Broadacres now employs a total of 6 apprentices within the company, demonstrating our commitment to providing opportunities for young people and investing in the future of Broadacres.”