Building themselves a brighter future

Applying for job after job but never hearing back, new dad Connor Boyle had all but given up hope of ever getting his career back on track.

Then a phone call from Salix Homes changed 19-year-old Connor’s fortunes overnight.

Connor was chosen from more than 100 other applicants to join the successful Earn as Your Learn Apprenticeship Scheme. And his success is all the more poignant as he had recently welcomed his newborn daughter into the world.

“When I found out I’d got it, I was over the moon,” he said. “I just want the chance to make a future for myself and my daughter.

“I’d applied for so many different jobs and apprenticeships and had never been successful. I’d given up hope, but Salix Homes has been so supportive and all the way through the recruitment process, they made me believe I could do it – and now I know I can.”

He is now well into his plumbing apprenticeship, following in the footsteps of his grandad, and had previously been studying for a plumbing diploma at Salford College. Connor is one of five apprentices who formed Salix Homes’ apprentice cohort for 2018.

Salix Homes is incredibly proud ofour apprenticeship programme, and over the last three years has created more than 50 apprenticeship positions both within the organisation and withour partner contractors.

Salix Homes’ apprenticeship programmes are either one or two years and the apprentices are working towards an NVQ in their chosen profession.

Four days a week are spent on-the-job, while one day is spent studying with training partner Total People. Salix Homes’ apprentices also benefit from the support and guidance of skills and work manager Jackie Crook, as well as one-on-one mentoring from their own dedicated mentor.

Graham Yeates, people services training advisor at Salix Homes, explains: “An apprenticeship is a fantastic route for not only the apprentice, but for Salix Homes as an employer too.

“They’re gaining essential skills and experience while getting paid, while for Salix Homes, we are building our workforce of the future.

“Towards the end of the programme, we start working on employability skills like CV building and interview practice, so even if we are unable to employ them directly, we can work with our partners to ensure they continue on their career path and help them find permanent jobs.”

Email enquiries@salixhomes.org to find out more about apprenticeship opportunities