Homes for Haringey apprentices at the forefront of the future

Tuesday 5 May 2009

Young apprentices are the future of the nation’s skills, as two trainee plumbers from Homes for Haringey can testify. Natasha McDonald and Dean White were selected to help launch the new National Apprenticeship Service outside 10 Downing Street this week (Monday 27 April).

Braving the elements early on a stormy Monday morning, Natasha McDonald and Dean White joined two Cabinet Ministers and the newly appointed NAS Chief Executive, Simon Waugh outside Britain’s most prestigious venue for a photo-shoot organised by blue-chip PR firm, Hill and Knowlton.

Skills and Apprenticeship Minister, Lord Young, and Schools Minister, Sarah McCarthy-Fry, particularly wanted to meet apprentices from a range of sectors to hear at first hand what their apprenticeship means to them.

Two Homes for Haringey apprentices joined Cabinet Ministers, Lord Young and Sarah McCarthy-Fry in the photo shoot for the launch of the National Apprentices Service

Mary Keane, Learning and Development Adviser at Homes for Haringey, said, “Natasha and Dean have worked and studied consistently throughout their apprenticeship at Homes for Haringey and at the College of North East London (CONEL). They will achieve the full apprenticeship framework (NVQ Level 3) by July this year.”

Natasha said, “It was brilliant to be photographed outside No 10, and I can’t believe we were the ones picked to do it. It was very useful too, as we met other apprentices from different organisations, and it was interesting to compare experiences. I’m really enjoying my apprenticeship at Homes for Haringey, and it goes without saying that my mum and dad are dead proud of my achievements too! “

Dean added, “The experience and the NAS launch made me appreciate how important apprenticeships are – not just for me personally, but in the wider context too. I can’t wait to be a fully qualified plumber – I feel I’ve come a long way since leaving school and know I made the right decision.”

For further information on apprenticeships at Homes for Haringey contact 020 8489 3474

End

Notes for Editors

Homes for Haringey is the Arms Length Management Organisation managing Haringey Council’s housing stock.

It is responsible for:

  • Services to approx 21,000 council owned properties: 16,700 tenanted and 4,500 leasehold
  • Tenancy and estate management
  • Housing management of supported housing
  • Rent collection and arrears management
  • Repairs and maintenance
  • Leasehold management
  • Resident involvement
  • Meeting the Decent Homes Standard.

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