Broadacres has taken on seven new apprentices as part of its policy of providing employment opportunities for people in the areas where it has homes.

We were once again inundated with applications for its apprenticeship programme, which has now been running since 2015.

Like 2020, Broadacres conducted the bulk of the selection process online and as well as interviews this also included a values-based quiz and a virtual escape room.

This then resulted in a short-list being drawn up, with the remaining candidates undergoing a final formal assessment before the final seven were appointed.

The seven, who started work in September are Josh Moseley, Technical Construction Apprentice; Courtney Charles, Plumbing & Heating Apprentice; Lewis Wright, Plumbing & Heating Apprentice; Mario Costa, Electrical Apprentice; Reece Donoghue, ICT Apprentice; Luke Burrill, Joinery Apprentice; and Karis Pritchard, Housing Management Apprentice.

Josh, 20, from Northallerton, said: “I am helping with the inspections of new build properties Broadacres are building in places like Yarm and Thirsk, as well as older properties which are undergoing a retrofit programme to make them more energy efficient.

“I am really enjoying the apprenticeship and hope to be able to remain at Broadacres for the long term.”

Courtney, 25, from Richmond, had ran her own pub and worked in a children’s nursery before starting her apprenticeship.

She said: “Even though I have only been here a few months I am getting lots of hands-on experience which is the main reason I applied for an apprenticeship.

“We get paid the real living wage which is great because I have my own flat and car, and Broadacres are also paying my college fees as well, so it couldn’t be any better.”

Lewis, 25, from Darlington, was working as a labourer for Broadacres, before deciding he wanted to learn a skilled trade.

“I already knew it was a great place to work so I am delighted to now have taken a completely new career path,” he said.

Mario, 39, from Middlesbrough, was also working as a labourer with Broadacres.

He says: “You don’t often get a second stab at something like this at my stage of life, so it’s a fantastic opportunity which I am really enjoying.”

Reece, 16, from Middlesbrough, knew about Broadacres through his dad Paul who works at the Association.

He says: “He told me it was a good place to work and that the apprenticeships were a good opportunity, and he was right because I have already learned more about ICT in just a few months than I did throughout the whole of my school life.”

All seven apprentices are spending one day a week at college learning the theory around the practical work they are doing.

Gail Teasdale, Broadacres’ Chief Executive, said: “We were very pleased to receive so many applications from people wanting to become apprentices at Broadacres.

“Some of the successful applications were working at Broadacres in other roles so it’s particularly pleasing that they wanted to further their career with us and that we are able to support them to do so.

“It also means we have been able to recruit people into the roles they vacated and in addition to this formal apprenticeship programme, we also have a number of colleagues that we are supporting to develop professionally in their current roles through other relevant apprenticeship courses.

“It’s important to continue to provide employment opportunities to people living in the areas where we have homes, and to be able to play a part in developing skilled local workers who will contribute so much to the local economy in the years to come.”

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