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( Last Updated: 13-07-2009 )
One of the key objectives in affordable housing is delivering direct benefits to the communities where the work is being carried out. This is particularly pressing in rural communities where populations are more spread out and employment opportunities thinner on the ground. If you can help tackle that problem whilst at the same time providing youth training and employment on apprenticeship schemes, then you must be doing something right.
Mendip Housing Association is partnering with Mi-space and Aster Property Management to make this a reality and it's proving to be a huge success.
The Innovative approach devised by Simon White of Mendip Housing and partnering contractors has seen: James Hooper, Brendon Gibbs and Alex Thomas being directly employed by Mendip Housing Association itself. The apprentices are then working with Mi-space and Aster Property Management to achieve the wide spectrum of work experience that they need to achieve their City and Guilds NVQ's.
Using this system the apprentices operate on a ‘round robin' basis, spending extended periods of time with each framework contractor to gain practical hands on skills and experience.
Simon White who went through an apprenticeship scheme himself with Mendip Housing and now works for the Company, said:
"We work with contractors who take on million pound-plus contracts with us to install kitchens, bathrooms, heating systems and to maintain the outside of our homes. We are very keen on training at Mendip Housing and regularly sponsor staff to undertake professional training. We wanted to find a way that we could tap into our contractor's expertise to offer practical training and job opportunities for local people, and decided that running an apprenticeship scheme would be a good way to go".
Mi-space Executive Director Andrew Johnston said:
"We are absolutely delighted to be involved in this apprenticeship programme. Mendip Housing has proved to be an excellent partner, providing opportunities for local employment and this sits perfectly with the Mi-space strategy of delivering regeneration benefits in the communities where we work".