Wrekin Housing Trust helps with first steps into career

The new employees have now started work in various areas of the business at the Wrekin Housing Trust, following a week-long induction to the organisation.

It comes in a move to help people who were out of work to take the step into employment.

Bosses say the new recruits will be learning about all aspects of the organisation over the 12 months they are with the Trust.

They will gain experience with business administration roles in teams including property and finance.

Maintenance trainees will be taught all about grass maintenance, weed control, pruning and cutting, as well as helping with projects such as laying slabs, erecting fencing and painting.

The young starters found their new roles through a variety of recruitment initiatives such as an open day organised by the Trust and a jobs fair held at the Telford International Centre.

Molly Clarke, 16, now works for the Trust's tenancy support team. She said: "After just leaving school, getting this role was the ideal thing for me. I'm so happy to be working here. Everybody is so friendly."

Many trainees have gone on to secure permanent jobs with the Trust, such as Ben Gojka, an electrical apprentice, who has been working at the Trust for almost three years.

He said: "When the electrical position came up at the Trust I applied for the role and luckily I got it. When I am fully qualified, I will have a career for life."

The 29 trainees joined the company in July and August, with 14 maintenance support trainees and 15 business admin trainees settling into their roles.

In addition, the Trust employs a number of apprentices and also apprentice requirements in each of its contracts for housing developments throughout Shropshire and Staffordshire, with over 70 apprentices on site currently.