New career pathways in Northern Ireland through apprenticeships at Apex Housing Association

Apex Housing Association has been showcasing its commitment to supporting new career pathways, as it sponsors the ‘Diversity & Inclusion’ award at the upcoming Northern Ireland Apprenticeship Awards
Ad Feature by Apex Housing Association
Published 4th Sep 2023, 08:14 BST
Updated 4th Sep 2023, 14:38 BST
Housing and careers for all – how Apex apprenticeships fit in. Picture – supplied.Housing and careers for all – how Apex apprenticeships fit in. Picture – supplied.
Housing and careers for all – how Apex apprenticeships fit in. Picture – supplied.

The award sponsorship has been made possible by the Department for Communities and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive’s ‘Housing for All’ Shared Housing Programme.

Apex provides and maintains almost 7,000 high quality homes across Northern Ireland and provides support for more than 16,000 tenants and residents.

A not-for-profit housing association led by volunteers and working to social enterprise principles; the organisation’s vision is for every person to enjoy great quality homes and support in vibrant and caring communities. Apex employs more than 600 people and has offered apprenticeship opportunities in areas including housing, maintenance and health & social care.

Elaine Taylor - Director of Personnel and Training. Picture - supplied.Elaine Taylor - Director of Personnel and Training. Picture - supplied.
Elaine Taylor - Director of Personnel and Training. Picture - supplied.

Elaine Taylor, Apex’s Director of Personnel & Training, said: “We know that our people are front and central to our success as an organisation. It’s therefore a priority for us to establish new career pathways and build the skills, knowledge and capabilities of our teams to enable them to deliver an effective and caring service.”

In conjunction with North West Regional College and the Chartered Institute of Housing, a new apprenticeship programme was established earlier this year. Two new apprentices joined Apex, beginning a two-year apprenticeship working towards a Level 3 qualification in Housing Practice.

Housing Apprentice, Abbie Newhouse, said: “For me, one of the things I love is that no one day is ever the same. Some days I’ll be out and about with Housing Officers at viewings and sign-ups and other days I’ll be in head office, working alongside the administrative team. I thoroughly enjoy my position as an apprentice as I am learning every day. I hope it will allow me to further myself in this career path in whichever field I choose.”

In recent years, Apex has also hosted apprentices in its Property Services department, providing young people with the opportunity to learn on the job whilst studying for a City and Guilds Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Maintenance Operations.

Northern Ireland apprenticeship programme with Apex Housing Association – leading to a solid career pathway. Picture – supplied.Northern Ireland apprenticeship programme with Apex Housing Association – leading to a solid career pathway. Picture – supplied.
Northern Ireland apprenticeship programme with Apex Housing Association – leading to a solid career pathway. Picture – supplied.

Another success story features Apex’s very first Apprentice Support Worker, who completed her year’s apprenticeship in Brookhill House in Coleraine, a ‘Housing with Care’ scheme for older people. Emma Hazlett achieved an NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care, was subsequently appointed as a permanent Support Worker and remains a member of the Apex team today.

For more information about Apex and its apprenticeship opportunities, visit www.apex.org.uk, phone 028 7130 4800 or email [email protected].

Related topics:Northern IrelandDepartment for Communities