With the country on the brink of an “alarming skills shortage” according to the UK Trade Skills Index, Incommunities is taking matters into their own hands and training the next generation.
After a Corona-related hiatus in recruiting apprentices, the provider of social housing and affordable housing is in the process of recruiting the next year of apprentices, with six positions being offered.
Duties include everything from grounds maintenance to grounds maintenance to cleaning staff. All graduate with an NVQ level qualification in their chosen career.
One of the achievements of the housing association’s apprenticeship program is Shauna Bramham from Baildon, who has just been named Bradford College’s Apprentice Plumber of the Year.
After 18 years as an income officer at Incommunities, Shauna decided to pursue further education and on-the-job learning to become a fully qualified plumber.
Shauna said: “I really wanted to do a hands-on job, I wanted to learn skills that would help me make a difference in people’s homes.
“I’m nearing the end of my apprenticeship and I can wholeheartedly say it’s been a great experience.
“The support I have received from my mentors and colleagues across the organization has been invaluable, from making decisions about my chosen path to on-the-job training.
“I also get wonderful feedback from customers every day. They are all pleasantly surprised when a female plumber arrives at their home.
“The work is varied and challenging, no day is like the other. When I look back on my development over the four years, I am very proud of what I have achieved. On my first day as an apprentice I caulked a bathtub with silicone and now I’m doing complete boiler installations with the help of my mentors – it was immense.”
Danny Halligan, Apprenticeship and Skills Officer at Incommunities, said: “Apprenticeships provide an excellent foundation for a practical career, a chance to earn money while learning with the support of a mentor.” Addressing labor and skills shortages and a great way to give back to the community we serve.
“I would estimate that 95 per cent of the people who have come through our apprenticeship program over the last 18 years have come from the Bradford area.”
Helen Chapman, Head of People Experience at Incommunities, said: “Shauna’s story is a great example of how apprenticeships are not only for young people straight out of school, but also provide an opportunity to retrain and pursue a different career path.”
“We are incredibly proud of Shauna’s achievements over the past four years. Her positive attitude, thirst for learning and natural connection with our customers has led to her being named Plumber of the Year, and for her this award is the icing on the cake.”
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https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/23637961.bradford-woman-becomes-plumbing-apprentice-year/
