Providing apprenticeships that work

YOUNG people employed by Broadacres have used National Apprenticeship Week to outline how apprenticeships are working for them.

The Association currently has seven apprentices – Isaac Maury, Boden Conner-Skelton, Ben Person, Jack Heads, Edward Kerridge, Josh Carter and Joe Elliot. Two of the newest apprentices are Edward and Jack who started their apprenticeships with Broadacres in September 2017.

Jack, aged 24, from Bedale, is on a two-year bricklaying apprenticeship, but is also learning other skills.
He says: “As well as learning how to lay bricks, I am also being taught to plaster and tile, which is great because it’s giving me wider experience of roles within the building industry.

“Everyone has been really patient with me and I am really enjoying my work. I still have plenty of time to go in my apprenticeship, but I know if Broadacres offered me a job today, I would take it because I like working here so much.”

Edward, 18, from Thirsk, is also getting plenty of hands-on experience in his two-year joinery apprenticeship.
He says: “I have been hanging doors, making bannisters, laying floorboards and plasterboard, and I even made a bird table which I donated to Broadacres’ women’s refuge.

“It’s very varied and no day is the same. The thing I like the best is I am learning on the job, which is much better than being in a classroom all day.

“I could see myself working at Broadacres for years, so hopefully I will get this opportunity once my apprenticeship ends.”

Two of Broadacres ‘Class of 2016’ apprentices – Zoe Allan and Shona Brown – went on to be offered full-time roles with the Association.

Zoe, 22, is now a Finance Trainee, following the apprenticeship she did in finance and administration.
She says: “I am approaching my first year working as a trainee and main responsibilities are managing the accounts for Richmondshire and Hambleton Furniture Store and Hambleton Foodshare, as well as supporting the financial performance team.

“I learned a lot during my apprenticeship, which I am building on further now, and I really enjoy my job.”
National Apprenticeship Week 2018 ran from 5th to 9th March and is a week-long celebration of apprenticeships in England – designed to showcase how apprenticeships work for individuals, businesses, communities and the wider economy.

Gail Hodgson, Broadacres’ Head of Human Resources, said: “Broadacres is a big advocate of apprenticeships and the calibre of people we have recruited over the last few years has been very high.

“We have demonstrated our willingness to retain our apprentices and hopefully we will also be in a position to do this with the current crop.

“However, even if this is not possible, we will have provided them with the skills and experience which will stand them in good stead in the future.”