Celebrating North Devon Homes’ support of apprentices

Here at North Devon Homes, we have a strong history in employing apprentices and supporting them to reach their qualifications. Therefore, we are proud to have recently been ‘highly commended’ in The Annual Petroc Apprenticeship Awards 2024 in the Apprenticeship Large Employer of the Year category.

These awards celebrate the very best employers, apprentices and apprenticeship champions across the region, highlighting those whose creativity, commitment, experience and strong leadership has helped them achieve success.

We currently have two fantastic apprentices who have come to us through the Petroc Apprenticeship Scheme.

Dexter Collyer-Tomas is our finance assistant apprentice. He joined us straight from school in September 2023. He is on a three-year course studying for his AAT accounting qualification.

He said: “I didn’t want to go into further education. I was interested in becoming an accountant and the accounts/finance assistant apprenticeship seemed like the best route to becoming fully qualified. I like the fact that I have been able to get straight into a work environment and I really enjoy working here.”

Apprenticeships offer the opportunity to work and earn money whilst gaining a formal qualification and learning skills, on the job whilst also studying at college.

Kayleigh Laird joined us as a works co-ordinator in spring 2023. She is studying for her business administration apprenticeship with Petroc. Kayleigh said: “I love working here and it’s great that I am earning whilst I learn.

“I am enjoying learning lots of new skills and the ability to gain experience within a work environment, while I work towards a recognised qualification at the end of it is a definite plus for me.”

It’s been almost 40 years since I started out in my career as an apprentice. I was very lucky to have been given the opportunity as an apprentice in a forward-thinking housing organisation when I left school.

I embraced the opportunity given to me and was able to learn many new skills whilst getting an insight into the industry. The support I was given, coupled with my enthusiasm and hard work led to many roles in this sector, culminating in the ultimate role as a CEO.

It goes to show that an apprenticeship offers the starting block to achieve anything you want if you give it your dedication, hard work and a positive approach.

We are proud to work in partnership with Petroc and are delighted to be recognised in these awards which are given solely on merit and are awarded to commend those most deserving for their ingenuity and investment of time and training of apprentices.

For more information on our apprenticeship scheme, please visit www.ndh-ltd.co.uk/join-team-ndh/apprenticeships