Salix Homes launches apprenticeship recruitment drive

Salix Homes has launched its annual apprenticeship recruitment drive in Salford.

We are seeking applicants to join our apprenticeship programme, which aims to help people out of work learn new skills and get on the career ladder.

The scheme, which is now in its third year, has so far taken on nine local people, all of which have gone on to secure full-time jobs.

This year the programme is bigger than ever with nine year-long apprenticeships up for grabs in Salix Homes’ environmental maintenance and 1st Response security teams. Two open days will take place next month for people wanting to find out more.

Lee Perry is one of the scheme’s many success stories. The 38-year-old dad-of-four had been struggling to find permanent work when he was accepted on to the apprenticeship programme in 2013.

He said: “The Salix Homes apprenticeship programme was the best thing I’ve ever done. I’d been doing some agency work for a while, but I was struggling to find permanent work, so when this apprenticeship opportunity came up I jumped at it.

It’s been such a learning curve, I’ve learnt new skills and gained qualifications and it’s completely changed my life. I can’t tell you the difference it’s made to not only my life, but to my children’s lives too.

If anyone is thinking about starting an apprenticeship, I’d say grab it with both hands and don’t look back. Even if you don’t get a job at the end of it, the skills that you will learn will change your life.

Lee, from Lower Broughton in Salford, completed his apprenticeship in Salix Homes’ environmental maintenance team and gained an NVQ Level 2 in horticulture. He has since gone on to secure full time work with Salford Council’s ground maintenance team.

The apprenticeships, which are run in conjunction with procurement consortium Procure Plus, start in April and are open to anyone in Salford from age 16, including the long-term unemployed, ex-offenders and NEETS (not in education, employment or training)

All apprentices will be able to work towards gaining an NVQ in either horticulture or customer services as well as the security industry authority licence (1st Response apprentices only) and Salix Homes will also fund the cost of driving lessons and a driving test for those who cannot drive.