Avonmouth warehouse to let impressed by local apprenticeship campaign

A local apprentice recruitment campaign has been judged an overwhelming success after more than 100 people applied for 6 vacancies, an achievement which has impressed Central Park, the available to let warehouse in Avonmouth

The roles at Yate based Merlin Housing Society are in a variety of traditional construction trades. They will last for three years, and will result in nationally recognised NVQ qualification. As well as traditional advertising, the housing association targeted its own customers as well as those from Bristol Housing Associations United Communities and Solon South West.

Over 200 people expressed an interest in an apprenticeship with Merlin and more than 90 people came along to an open evening at the Rose Green Centre in Whitehall in January to try their hand at different trades and meet current and former apprentices. Also present were South Gloucestershire and Stroud College and Bristol OnSite who offer apprentice training, as well as  Local organisation Reform Training and Skills who were offering free Level 1 construction qualification for 16-18 year olds

Winston Williams, Managing Director of Property Solutions at Merlin said: “We’re one of the largest social landlords in the area, but It’s not just about bricks and mortar, it’s about the communities we serve and the people that live in them. Tackling unemployment in those communities is one of our aims. Apprenticeships are a great opportunity for people of all ages.”

The organisation plans to take on ten apprentices a year – some in February and some in September – and is also looking to offer opportunities across the rest of its business areas. The organisation is supporting one of its current apprentices, Luke Naish, to go to the Philippines next year to help a charity that supports kids who live on a rubbish dump and make money by picking waste.

Source: Bristol Post