You’re Hired!!
The Apprentice came to Towcester when the search was launched for two new young recruits. Mears Projects in partnership with South Northants Homes launched an Apprentice-style selection process to find two new apprentices with the support from local organisations including Connexions, EYS, NVYA and the Princes Trust who helped promote the opportunity to young people who live in the area.
With nearly 1m 16-24 year old currently unemployed, the opportunity proved to be much sought after positions. An interview process whittled down the applicants to ten candidates, which was very valuable experience for all the young people involved and in some instances it was the first interview they had ever had and they all done exceptionally well. They were then put through their paces during a two week period of training and practical experience. Their first day was spent being inducted into South Northants Homes and Mears procedures by SNH Community Development Manager Becky Pavey and Responsive Repairs Manager Gary McNeil and Mears Customer Care and Health & Safety Managers. There was also an introduction from Northampton Voluntary Youth Action so that the young people on the course would be able to accrue the voluntary hours they carried out during the programme towards a nationally recognised accreditation called V Inspired which would provide a valuable input to their CVs. Moulton College in Silverstone, where the two chosen apprentices would be doing their NVQ2s, came to speak to everyone about courses available and enrolment dates, should they not be the chosen apprentices. Both South Northants Homes & Mears Projects were keen to ensure all candidates would be supported, whatever the outcome.
The ten prospective apprentices spent the first week learning painting, decorating and tiling skills from Mears Trainer Colin Wood at Mears warehouse in Blisworth. The skills and knowledge they learnt was then put into practice the following week when the ten young men got hands on experience working in one of our void properties at South Northants Homes. They also got the opportunity to accompany members of South Northants Homes Responsive Repairs Team to residents’ properties to experience what life is really like on the repairs frontline which included the option of them accompanying either one of our Carpenters, Electricians or Plumbers on their repair rounds.
The participants were continually monitored and marked over this period and a very hard decision was eventually made with Dean Wicks and Joshua Walsh welcomed to the Mears Projects team in Blisworth where they will support the delivery of South Northants Homes Decent Homes Programme.
Community Development Manager Becky Pavey said “"The apprenticeship scheme was a great success and we'd like to congratulate Josh and Dean on becoming Mears apprentices. All the candidates worked incredibly hard over the two weeks and we were impressed with the high level of skills they demonstrated. SNH are proud to work in partnership with Mears on such a worthwhile project and we wish all the candidates every success in the future"
Managing Director of Mears Projects Daivd Hodgson said: "Mears Projects is delighted that we have been able to offer this exciting opportunity to a group of young people in partnership with South Northants Homes. It is one of Mears key Community & Environment Objectives to provide career and skills development opportunities for those who need them most. We felt this course surpassed every expectation. All candidates showed a real desire and commitment to become one of our apprentices, and it was a very hard decision to choose just two from the ten candidates. Everyone who took part should feel a real sense of pride in what they achieved and we hope the experience will set them on a path for a successful future, whichever direction this may take. We know Joshua & Dean are going to be a fantastic addition to our team and hope residents of South Northants Homes will enjoy the benefit of this commitment.
