Apprenticeships

If you join us as an apprentice, you’ll be making a difference to people’s lives from day one.

Guide to Our Apprenticeships

As a large employer within Shropshire and Staffordshire with a strong social purpose, our Group recognises the importance of supporting skills development of young people. We provide a well-recognised apprenticeship programme, offering a number of opportunities for young people to join our organisation. By joining us you will learn the skills, gain qualifications and adapt behaviours which will enable you to support our communities.

What is an apprenticeship?

An apprenticeship combines employment with practical training within a specific job to enable apprentices to gain nationally recognised qualifications and essential skills. Qualifications can range from Level 2 to Level 7.

Apprenticeships are made up of:

At least 6 hours per week of the apprentices’ time on the programme should be accounted for in college attendance, training and learning.

Apprentice Pay

We offer a highly competitive apprenticeship pay rate of £10.18 per hour, providing excellent value for skill development and hands-on experience.

Principles of Housing Plus Group’s Apprenticeship scheme

• By working alongside experienced colleagues, our apprentices gain a wealth of experience as well as job-specific skills.
  
  
• We offer nationally-recognised apprenticeship programmes.
  
  
• Our apprenticeships are open to everyone over the age of 16 if they meet the criteria for the individual programmes.
  
  
• Our apprenticeship programme will equip the apprentice with the knowledge and skills to be able to fully undertake the role of their placement.
  
  
• Our placements will provide meaningful work and opportunities to support our apprentices in securing a long-term career.
  
  
• We want our apprentices to feel supported and part of the Group and to give them opportunities to be the best that they can be.
  
  
• We will work to increase the diversity of our apprentices and work with partners and colleges to support our equality and diversity aspirations, including opportunities for individuals to access our apprenticeships from our work experience and Women in Construction initiatives.
  
  
• We commit to ensuring that we pay our apprentices a fair salary for the work that they do which will be more than the National Apprenticeship Salary rate.
  
  
• We will provide opportunities to learn in the workplace and to provide training that exceeds the minimum expectations of their apprenticeship programme.
  
  
• We aspire to be recognised for the quality of our apprenticeship programme and the individual apprentices on our programme. We want individuals to want a place on our apprenticeship programme.
  
  
• Training and travel costs for apprenticeships will be picked up from our Levy account. All other apprentice costs i.e., safety equipment will be picked up from the relevant budget. The apprenticeship budget will be reviewed annually.
  
  
• To help us grow our own talent, we will focus on where we have skill shortages or gaps. We will review annually where our apprenticeship placements will be and how many apprentices we will take during that financial year.
  
  
• In addition to the Line Manager, we will appoint a mentor to each of our apprentices when they start their programme to support them in their placement. We aim for this to be someone experienced within the team, who can guide and support them during their apprenticeship.
  
  
• Where appropriate we will offer apprentices to our staff if that is the most suitable option to support the learning need that they have.

The Apprentice Programme Overview

Our apprenticeship programme provides opportunities for apprentices to gain valuable experience whilst gaining a recognised qualification and support for their personal developments.

Apprentice Onboarding and Induction: The apprentice onboarding and induction experience will provide an
opportunity to learn about us, your role and what is expected from you.

Career Pathway: Dedicated onboarding to support you in your ongoing career.

Recognised Qualification: You will get support to gain recognised qualifications and functional skills.

Benefits Package: Access to our Employee Assistance Programme, our discounts and cashback app,
fantastic awards including cinema and event tickets and much more.

Buddy: As well as your line manager you will be allocated a buddy to support you during your apprenticeship.

Training and Development: Opportunities to undertake further training and skills development.

The Apprentice Programme Overview Apprentice pathways

Trades (MSC):

Contact Centre Apprentice: Based within our Customer Contact Centre Team, apprentices will be studying for a level 2/Level 3 Customer Service Practitioner/ Customer Service Specialist Apprenticeship. This apprenticeship will take 12-15 months to complete

Carpentry Apprentice: Our Carpentry Apprentices work across different areas of our Maintenance Teams studying for a level 2 carpentry apprenticeship. The apprenticeship will take 24 months to complete.

Plumbing and Heating: As part of this apprenticeship, you will work within our plumbing and heating team towards achieving a level 3 in Plumbing and Domestic Heating over a period of 48 months. 5

Electric: In this apprenticeship, you will work towards completing a qualification to enable becoming a level 3 qualified Installation and Maintenance Electrician. The duration for this course is 48 months.

Plasterer: This apprenticeship when completed awards you a Level 2 Plasterer qualification. The duration is 24 months.

Painter and Decorator: Our Painting and Decorating Apprentice work across different areas of our Maintenance Team studying for a level 2 in the subject. The apprenticeship will take 24 months to complete.

Building Assistant: Our Building Assistant team is a varied role where the team takes care of a variety of maintenance repairs and issues. We are offering a level 2 Property Maintenance Operative apprenticeship.

Group Functions:

Data Apprentice: By the end of the apprenticeship, you should have a solid foundation in data analysis, be able to manage and manipulate data, and have experience presenting your findings in ways that make sense to others. Some apprenticeships also provide opportunities to work on real-world projects, giving you hands-on experience that enhances your learning.

Debt Advise (Money Matters): This is a specialised apprenticeship designed for individuals who are interested in helping people manage and resolve their debt related issues. In this role, apprentices work under the guidance of experienced debt advisors, gaining the skills necessary to provide expert advice to individuals and families facing financial difficulties.

Debt advice apprenticeships are a great opportunity for anyone interested in helping individuals manage their finances and work towards financial stability.

Duration: Typically lasts 12-18 months, depending on the specific apprenticeship program.

Housing and Property: Housing and Property management apprenticeships within our Housing team offers an Assistant Apprenticeship at Level 2, Management Apprentice at Level 3 and Senior Housing and Property Management Apprentice at level 4. The apprenticeships range from 12 to 18 months for completion.

Legal Apprentice: This is an alternative route into the legal profession, allowing individuals to gain practical experience while studying for professional legal qualifications. These apprenticeships are designed for people who want to become lawyers or legal professionals without going through the traditional university degree route.

Duration: Varies depending on the program.

Qualifications: Apprenticeships typically lead to qualifications like Level 3, Level 4, or Level 6 depending on the apprenticeship level.

Retirement Living Coordinator: is designed for individuals who want to work in the retirement and elderly care sector, specifically helping to manage and support retirement living communities. This apprenticeship focuses on coordinating and overseeing services 6 and activities that ensure older adults can live independently and comfortably in a retirement setting.

Duration: Typically lasts 12-18 months, depending on the specific program and level of study.

Catering Apprentice: Catering Apprenticeship is a hands-on training program that allows individuals to learn the essential skills required to work in the catering and hospitality industry. Whether you're interested in becoming a chef, a catering manager, or working in food preparation and service, a catering apprenticeship provides a structured path to gain experience while earning a wage.

Duration: Typically ranges from 12 to 24 months depending on the apprenticeship program and your specific role (e.g., Commis Chef vs. Catering Manager).

Survey Technician: This apprenticeship is within our Property team offering Level 3 in Surveying technician, level 4 in Construction Quantity Surveying Technician and Level 4 in Construction Site Supervisor qualifications. The duration ranges from 24 to 36 months depending on the level.

Care and Support:

Care and Support: The apprenticeship based within our Care and Support team in ShireLiving, offers Health Care Support Worker Level 2, 3, 4 and 5 qualifications with a duration of 12 to 24 months depending on the level.

Entry Requirements for all apprenticeship career pathways

• Aged 16 or over
• Entry qualifications varies according to the apprenticeship pathway
• Must be literate, numerate and keen to learn

Parents & Guardians Guide to Apprenticeships

An apprenticeship is a fantastic opportunity for young people to earn while they learn in a workplace environment and train towards an industry recognised qualification.

At Housing Plus Group, we are continually developing and improving our Early Careers offerings to ensure we provide the highest quality training and career opportunities to our apprentices.

Why Housing Plus Group?

• Allows your child to earn while they learn
• Combines on the job practical training with classroom training
• One to one mentorship is provided
• Successful apprentices gain accredited qualifications recognised by employers
• They will be trained at our well-equipped centres

FAQ’s

How can I support my child through the application process?

• Make sure they have all the necessary documentation ready to upload
• You can reassure them that all of our recruitment team are here to help them with any questions at all

How will my child be looked after while training and working with us?

• All our employees are well looked after, but we take extra care with the wellbeing and safeguarding of our apprentices. Your child’s safety is our top priority.

What opportunities will my child have after they qualify from their apprenticeship?

• We provide opportunities for all our employees to continually develop and progress. From maintenance roles to supervisors and management positions, there’s no limits to the progression opportunities available
• All qualifications are accredited and industry recognised, so the apprentices can use their skills and knowledge with any employer

How much will they get paid as an apprentice?

• The base rate for first year apprentice is £10.18 per hour for year

• Make sure they have all the necessary documentation ready to upload
• You can reassure them that all of our recruitment team are here to help them with any questions at all

How will my child be looked after while training and working with us?

• All our employees are well looked after, but we take extra care with the wellbeing and safeguarding of our apprentices. Your child’s safety is our top priority.

What opportunities will my child have after they qualify from their apprenticeship?

• We provide opportunities for all our employees to continually develop and progress. From maintenance roles to supervisors and management positions, there’s no limits to the progression opportunities available
• All qualifications are accredited and industry recognised, so the apprentices can use their skills and knowledge with any employer

How much will they get paid as an apprentice?

• The base rate for first year apprentice is £10.18 per hour for year

Izabella's story

Izabella works in the Customer Voice and Value team. She wanted to go down the apprenticeship route rather than university. Find out why she loves being part of #TeamWrekin here.

Jason's story

Jason started with Wrekin under the Kickstart scheme. It really did help kickstart his career as he's now an apprentice, learning more and more every day.

Simone's story

Simone started at Wrekin as a trainee, and is now an apprentice plumber. Find out what Simone thinks about working at #TeamWrekin, and what her daughter thinks too!

James' story

James is an apprentice in Wrekin's ICT team. Find out his favourite thing about working at #TeamWrekin is.