Worcester MP pays a visit to Sanctuary apprentices

Published by rtownsend for Sanctuary Housing Association in Housing and also in Education

To mark National Apprenticeship week (11-15 March), Worcester MP Robin Walker spent time with apprentices from Sanctuary Group to hear more about their experiences and views of apprenticeships as a career path. 

Two of Sanctuary’s horticulture apprentices who are attending Pershore College of Horticulture as part of the Group’s programme, met Robin on Friday 15 March and took him along to a Sanctuary owned property in the city to show him a new eco project taking place there.

Calum Ashton and Luke Ward, both aged 22, along with six other Sanctuary apprentices, have been asked to design and create an eco garden at the terraced house in Infirmary Walk as part of their two-year course.

Said Calum: “It was good to get the opportunity to talk about our plans for the eco garden and also explain how Sanctuary’s apprenticeship programme allows me to earn while I learn. I now have a real future ahead of me.”

Robin was also able to meet Tom Smith, a former Sanctuary apprentice who has since gone on to secure a permanent job as Corporate Social Responsibility Assistant for the Group.

Tom said: “It was really interesting to be able to ask Mr Walker about his career path and discuss my job progression so far. I think I will really be able to develop my career through Sanctuary, and the meeting has really helped inspire me.”

Robin Walker said: “Apprenticeships are such a wonderful opportunity for people to earn while they learn and to get valuable experience of working for an employer whilst also getting qualifications that can last a lifetime. As Sanctuary’s range of apprenticeships show, there are a wide variety of different opportunities available and it is good to see apprentices not just at entry level but also progressing on to greater things. It’s great that apprenticeship opportunities in Worcester keep growing and I want to see that growth in quality and quantity continue.”

David Bennett, Sanctuary Group Chief Executive, said: “As a major local and national employer we believe it is important to do our bit to train tomorrow’s workforce and ensure young people have the skills needed to build successful careers.

“We’ve seen our apprenticeship programme grow year on year, and those taking part in the scheme bring a real energy and enthusiasm to our business.”

Sanctuary was named a ‘Top 100 Apprentice Employer’ in November of last year. Under their scheme, apprentices complete an intensive two-year programme, spending time in the workplace, while also gaining a range of nationally recognised qualifications, including NVQs and professional accreditations.

Further information on apprenticeship opportunities at Sanctuary can be found by visiting www.sanctuary-apprenticeships.co.uk.