Network Homes celebrates National Apprenticeship Week

For the last four years, Network Homes has been running a 12 months apprenticeship programme, offering apprentices the chance to gain valuable experience in the housing sector. For some apprentices, the apprenticeship programme leads onto a career at Network Homes. 

For the start of National Apprenticeship Week, we catch up with Shaunie Bayford, Estate Services Officer, who originally joined Network Homes as part of our apprenticeship programme in April 2012.

Shaunie said: “I was an apprentice for just over a year and gained lots of valuable experience from the scheme, particularly as part of my role involved spending time in all the different areas of the business. It gave me the opportunity to develop a really strong understanding of how everything worked.  I even found that colleagues would come to me if they had a query regarding another department.

"By being an apprentice at Network Homes, I not only gained experience working in the housing sector but I also had the opportunity to get an NVQ. Network Homes created an administration role for me and then when I completed the NVQ course I was offered a permanent job.

"I’m now coming up to my fourth year at Network Homes as an Estate Officer.  Apart from gaining a career, it has given me extensive experience in all areas which has and will continue to help me progress in the future.

"I would definitely recommend the scheme to other people. Not only do you get a qualification and great experience but you also get paid while doing so. It’s far better than college or sixth form and you could also gain a career from it!”

If you’re interested in our apprenticeship programme, keep an eye out on our website for when we’re recruiting again. 

We also offer Network Homes’ residents free training and employment advice through our Worksmart programme.  They can help you access a range of apprenticeship programmes including those advertised on our training and employment opportunities page. Contact our Worksmart team on 0300 373 3000 or email them at worksmart@networkhomes.org.uk for more information or to book a free one to one session with one of our training and employment advisors.