News

03 February 2012

Social Landlord Shows Its Commitment To Apprentices

Derwentside Homes is part of a consortium of North East housing associations aiming to create more than 100 new apprentice jobs to celebrate National Apprenticeship Week, which runs from 6th – 10th February.

Along with another ten housing associations, the County Durham-based association which owns and manages some 7,000 properties in the north-west of County Durham, has signed up to the National Housing Federation’s (NHF) North East Apprenticeship Commitment by pledging that between one and five per cent of its workforce will be apprentices by the end of 2012.

With the highest unemployment figures in the country and nearly one in four young people out of work, the North East urgently needs more apprentices to drive economic growth and create a new generation of skilled workers.

Geraldine Wilcox, Chief Executive of Derwentside Homes , said: “We have always made a commitment to creating both office and trade-based apprenticeships and to work with partners to encourage local training opportunities.

“We are very proud of how well we have delivered against this commitment and since 2006 when we were established, we have taken on 23 apprentices and have also given training and work experience to many other local people.

“We, along with the other housing associations, fully support the National Housing Federation’s campaign to ensure the housing sector steps up to the mark and provides opportunities for young people to start their careers.”

On 10 February, social housing providers will meet at the Radisson Hotel in Durham to discuss ways of employing more apprentices. They will discuss best practice with politicians and also meet apprentices to hear about their experiences first hand.

Monica Burns, the Federation’s lead manager for the North East, added: “I am delighted that Derwentside Homes is leading the way during Apprenticeship Week by committing to take on more apprentices.

“The apprenticeship culture is already well embedded in North East’s social housing sector and this new commitment demonstrates how the region is keen to continue setting the standard.”

To celebrate National Apprenticeship Week, Derwentside Homes has launched a special edition of its internal staff newsletter, DH Life which highlights the achievements that apprentices have made and how successful they have been for the business.

Last year, Derwentside Homes was named as a top 100 apprenticeship Employer by the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) and was selected as a runner up in the North East Medium Employer of the Year category of the National Apprenticeship Awards 2011, which celebrate the achievements of apprentices and employers from all over England .


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