Three apprentices have been appointed to an innovative apprenticeship programme which offers a professional qualification and degree course combined with practical, on-the-job experience, allowing them to earn as they learn.
Jasmine King, Alice Ames, and Tia Putt are joining Flagship Group’s Bright Futures programme, studying for a level 4 Senior Housing Officer qualification followed by a chartered manager degree apprenticeship, whilst working across the company.
The Bright Futures programme has been so successful it has led to the Group being Highly Commended in the category of Large Employer at the Eastern Region Apprentice Awards 2019, following an application by two of the first Bright Futures apprentices.
Flagship has teamed up with training and management consultancy Dutton Fisher Associates to develop the four-year programme. At the end of the course the apprentices will have a Chartered Institute of Housing qualification at level 4, and they will be chartered managers.
The three apprentices will get to spend time in each department of Flagship, the biggest housing association in the East of England, whilst gaining key technical knowledge through the four year course.
The training will be delivered using a blended delivery model of online and face to face tutor led workshops. Each Bright Futures apprentice will also benefit from a dedicated Flagship mentor to provide guidance and support. And, each apprentice gets to dedicate one day a week towards study as they earn whilst they learn.
Crucially, at the end of the course, the apprentices will not only have valuable qualifications, they will also have a permanent job.
Lisa Collen, Managing Director of Victory Housing and Director of People and Workplaces explained: “We want to attract and retain the very best talent and to provide opportunities for people to learn and develop to fulfil their potential.
“We have worked with Dutton Fisher Associates to develop this programme which, when combined with our on-the-job experience, will give our apprentices invaluable knowledge and insight for building a career in our sector.
“At the same time as earning money, the apprentices will be able to gain qualifications funded by Flagship and learn about our business as well as the wider housing sector.
“We are delighted that Jasmine, Alice and Tia are joining us and look forward to working with them in the coming years.”
Jasmine, Alice and Tia will be joining four existing Bright Futures apprentices. This includes Morgan Lingley. Morgan didn’t have a clear idea of what job sector to pursue but after almost a year with Flagship, is now set on a career in Housing.
Morgan said: “I really enjoy working alongside such amazing staff members. They are always on hand to help especially with myself being an apprentice, I feel like I can approach anybody. I also enjoy the variety of work – such as anti-social behaviour, rent collection, and HR – I have participated in so far.
“I could not be prouder to work for a company so focused on developing staff and pushing them to their full potential. I feel as though I have landed on my feet when a year ago I had no idea what career I was going to end up in.”
Each year Flagship Group offers a number of apprenticeships across the group, starting in September.