High quality, affordable housing has a critical role to play in creating jobs and supporting economic growth.
With more than 30,000 affordable rented homes, members of the York and North Yorkshire Housing Partnership add an estimated £75m to the regional economy each year whilst also supporting 1,600 jobs.
A key part of this regional support is the wide variety of apprenticeships we offer to inspire the next generation of housing professionals. From trade skills in gas and plumbing, to other roles in HR and customer service, our partnership is proud to provide these opportunities for our future talents.
And by working with the new mayor for York and North Yorkshire, there’s the potential to build on the progress we’ve already made generating employment and inward investment.
Housing 21 is just one member of the York and North Yorkshire Housing Partnership and has nearly 300 employees on apprenticeship programmes, including Jess who recently completed a level 4 Marketing Executive apprenticeship.
“The apprenticeship gave me the opportunity to gain experience and knowledge, and I was thrilled when this led to a permanent role within the team”, she said.
“Being able to learn on the job from colleagues while undertaking the apprenticeship has been invaluable and I’m excited to continue my career journey in marketing and communications.”
Elsewhere, Broadacres Housing Association recently took on its largest-ever group of new apprentices, including Felix who will become part of the sustainability team which leads on the organisation’s transition to net-zero.
He said: “I have always been interested in the way the world is moving towards being more environmentally friendly and in particular the steps Broadacres is taking, so it’s a great place to start my career.”
Also among the new starters is Abbey who followed her sister Courtney into an apprenticeship with Broadacres and is now two years into her plumbing and heating programme.
She said: “I’ve always wanted to get a formal trade qualification and Courtney loves it here and has been encouraging me to join, so I am excited to get started.”
Gail Teasdale, chief executive of Broadacres and vice-chair of the York and North Yorkshire Housing Partnership, added: “We’re delighted with the way our apprenticeship programme has grown and to now be in the position where we have 15 people working in different areas of the organisation is fantastic.
“It forms part of our commitment to providing employment opportunities to local people living in the communities where we have homes.”