FCHO celebrates National Apprenticeship Week

It’s National Apprenticeship Week and we are celebrating the hard work and dedication of our 11 talented apprentices who are gaining hands-on experience in a range of job roles, from joinery to ICT.

To reinforce our ongoing commitment to providing valuable training and employment opportunities in the local community, we have announced plans to double the number of apprentices we have by 2027.

Currently, we have 11 apprentices across various departments, with plans to increase this number to 22 in the next two years. This initiative highlights our dedication to upskilling both young people and older workers while strengthening our partnership with local colleges and universities.

Among them is 17-year-old Angelise Johnston, from Dobcross, who is making waves as the only female currently undertaking an apprenticeship in joinery while working in FCHO’s Voids Team. Angelise plays a vital role in our Voids Team, refurbishing properties ensuring they are ready for new customers.

Reflecting on her experience, Angelise said: “Doing the apprenticeship in joinery whilst working is great experience. I have lots of ideas and get to apply what I learn in college immediately, so I’m constantly using my learning to upskill. I studied construction at GCSE and found it really interesting – I knew it would open lots of doors for me. My dad has always been really encouraging and wanted me to learn new skills that would help me in the future.”

She added: “Being a woman in this industry doesn’t faze me. I am learning skills and gaining experience in something I enjoy and am good at, and that’s what’s important to me.”

Recent data from the Office for National Statistics suggests that more women are entering the construction industry than ever before. From April to June 2023, the construction workforce was 15.8 percent female, a 1.2 percent increase from the previous quarter. Apprenticeship opportunities like the one Angelise is undertaking play a crucial role in encouraging more women to pursue careers in vocational professions.

As an anchor organisation in the borough and a significant employer with more than 400 colleagues, we are committed to boosting job opportunities for local people and investing in apprenticeships to create a future talent pipeline both for our business and the borough too.

Working in collaboration with local colleges our apprenticeships provide an opportunity for individuals to develop new skills in a real work environment, while earning a wage. We help our apprentices choose their route into their preferred profession and support them to build their careers.

To showcase the incredible journeys of some of our apprentices, we spoke with a few of them about their experiences and aspirations:

Sumaya Kassim – Business Administration Apprentice

Sumaya, 23, from Oldham, is our Business Administration Apprentice based in our Property Care Team. She found her apprenticeship opportunity through our Directions employment service. With a background in customer service, Sumaya wanted a role that combined her passion for working with people and helping others.

She said: “The apprenticeship is great as I get to apply what I am learning in a real work environment, making the concepts more relatable and easier to understand. I work alongside experienced professionals, learning from their expertise. It’s also rewarding to see how my work contributes to customer satisfaction and the overall success of the company.”

Devon Laithwaite-Adair – Joinery Apprentice

Devon, 20, from Lees, initially planned to attend university to study medical care or physiotherapy. However, he realised he wanted a hands-on role that allowed him to work with people. Through conversations with friends who worked at FCHO, he decided to pursue an apprenticeship in joinery.

Currently working with our Voids team, Devon helps restore and repair properties once tenants vacate them.

He said: “I enjoy working with people and using my hands to create and restore. It’s incredibly satisfying to know that I am helping create a home for someone. When we assess a property, we decide whether to repair or replace features. It’s great to be learning and working with others who have so much experience, skills and they’ve done this for many years so they can show me the most effective ways to improve or tackle certain projects.”

Max Patrick – Electrical Apprentice

Max, 20, wanted to specialise, he decided to pursue an electrical apprenticeship within the Responsive Repairs team.

He said: “I wanted to pick a trade and develop specialised skills. Every day is different, which I love. Going into customers’ homes and fixing problems—like a broken shower—makes a real difference to their day. That’s what keeps me motivated.”

Callum Lee – Facilities Operative

Callum, 25 from Werneth joined FCHO two years ago as a seasonal operative. During this time, he developed a real passion for working outdoors and built up his experience in grounds maintenance.  He recently decided to apply for a Caretaker role and is completing his apprenticeship in facilities management alongside it.

He said: “I've always loved working outdoors. I had my first allotment at 16 and worked for Oldham Council from the age of 18 doing groundwork at Alexandra Park in Oldham. I also enjoy working with people and helping them have a clean and safe place to call home. Now I am involved in lots of different things every day, it’s very hands on, very practical.”

Callum has autism and often feels overwhelmed and nervous. He added: “Senior Caretakers I work with at FCHO have been very supportive in helping be break down barriers. My team leader and colleagues are very caring and - it’s great for me to work alongside a successful, skilled team that supports me with my work, day to day challenges and help me learn new skills.”

Supporting apprentices is a top priority for our Chief Executive Mark Gifford. He said: “As an anchor organisation in Oldham, we’re committed to supporting the next generation and developing a motivated, skilled and qualified team. Our apprenticeships are a fantastic way for local people to take their first step towards a variety of careers, enabling them to gain valuable skills and get a head start in their future professions.

“It’s terrific to hear the inspiring stories from our apprentices and we are incredibly proud of the valuable contributions they make at FCHO. Their dedication and hard work not only helps them grow professionally but also makes a lasting impact in our communities, which is so important to us.”

Interested in an apprenticeship role at FCHO?

We advertise our opportunities through the vacancies page here on our website so keep your eyes peeled for when they come up.