WDH Apprentices are told: You're hired!

Published by Richard Lord for Wakefield & District Housing in Housing and also in Education

Six youngsters who had turned up to Wakefield and District Housing (WDH) expecting final interviews to become apprentices with the organisation were given a surprise when they were told: ‘You’re hired!’

Following an already demanding selection process, James Bailey (16), Gareth Box (19), Daniel Cornish (17), Brandon Kane (19), Andrew Rhodes (16) and Todd Williams (21) arrived at WDH headquarters in Castleford, West Yorkshire, for what they believed to be the last stage of a testing application.

They came prepared to answer a number of questions but were asked just one: Do you want to be a WDH apprentice?

Of course, the unanimous answer was ‘yes’ and at that point the six immediately became WDH apprentices to train as electricians, plasterers, joiners and bricklayers.

Brandon Kane, from Lennox Drive in Horbury, Wakefield, will train to be a joiner. He said: “It felt amazing to be told I’ve got an apprenticeship with WDH. I was expecting a final interview so it came as a complete surprise. It took a while to sink in.

“I applied to be an apprentice at WDH because it has the best training and a really good reputation for working with young people. My aim is to get experience and become fully qualified. I’m really excited for the future.”

WDH has recently been announced as one of the UK’s Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers, which recognises the work it offers young people in the local area.

WDH Employment Training Manager Gary Marley said: “We had over 400 applicants this year and the six of them had already been through a rigorous selection process to get this far.

“They took part in our Apprenticeship Forum where they could see what being an apprentice at WDH is all about. They watched as six of our final year apprentices collected employment contracts, so they’ve seen what they can achieve if they work hard.

“This is more than just a job – we can give them the training and skills they need to enjoy a long career in the construction industry.”