Celebrating National Apprenticeship Week 2021

With 8-14 February marking this year’s National Apprenticeship Week, we would like to celebrate the exceptional efforts of our charity’s eight apprentices who continue to bring energy and creativity into our YMCA workplaces on a daily basis.

Mental_Health_QuizProud of our apprentices

As a valuable career pathway that unlocks doors to life development opportunities, Nottinghamshire YMCA offers apprenticeships across a variety of service areas ranging from Human Resources and Marketing to Maintenance positions. The hard work of apprentices has been even more notable this year, with the COVID-19 pandemic national lockdown putting additional pressure onto our charity’s everyday activities.

Gary Sivier, Maintenance Manager at Nottinghamshire YMCA, has just taken on two new apprentices to support the outputs for the charity’s frontline services. In addition to looking after the charity’s gym and office spaces, the maintenance team is crucially responsible for ensuring our supported accommodation for formerly homeless adults and children’s residential care homes for at-risk young people maintain the highest standards of safety.

Gary explained: “We have two apprentices working in our Maintenance team and have kept on in employment three former apprentices who started their journey with us. We could not be prouder of what they have achieved so far!

‘Make a real difference’

“Like many other non-profits across the country, our charity is facing an unprecedented need during this pandemic to go above-and-beyond to ensure our society’s most vulnerable members remain safe during these challenging times.

“Our apprentices not only get a chance to make a real difference by contributing towards creating safe and positive living environments for our residents, but they also gain a deep understanding of the importance of community values and helping others.”

‘YMCA has taught me a lot about people’

Apprentices can study different qualifications, and YMCA works in partnership with a number of training providers to support staff on an ongoing basis to achieve their ultimate aim of successfully attaining a transferable nationally recognised qualification.

Apprentice-Malika-Sharpe-HR-MarketingThe apprenticeship programme is part of our charity’s ongoing commitment to staff development, and applies to both existing staff and external applicants who can apply when apprenticeship opportunities are advertised.

Malika Sharpe, a Business Administration Apprentice at Nottinghamshire YMCA, said: “Since undertaking my apprenticeship at the YMCA, I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here.

“I am taking a Business Administration ‘Level 3’ qualification, which means working between Human Resources to support with recruitment and often managing social posts for Marketing. Working in the charity sector has taught me a lot about people and the core values that I should uphold in society, especially if a person is vulnerable.”

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