A PARTNERSHIP between a housing association and an education trust is helping to provide increased opportunities for young people in the North-East.

Housing provider Livin is working with multi-academy trust Advance Learning Partnership (ALP) to develop apprenticeships, training programmes and support for students.

A customer services academy, aimed at giving school-leavers the opportunity to continue learning whilst gaining valuable skills, knowledge and experience, has been established and is reaping rewards. 

Livin has three students from ALP schools in an apprenticeship, and two former students have been employed. Meanwhile, ALP has a number of former students in apprenticeships across many of its schools and within the Trust Central Team.

The two community-focused organisations recently shared their apprentice case studies on social media during National Apprenticeship Week, showing young people how apprenticeships offer opportunities across a range of careers.

Both organisations are now recruiting apprentices into their finance teams. One will be based within the Central Team at the Advance Learning Partnership headquarters, in Spennymoor, and another will be at Livin’s headquarters at Farrell House, Durhamgate.

Graham Darby, Livin’s Director of Housing and Communities said: “By working together, we are creating opportunities and inspiring young people with a range of skills to experience a variety of job roles to help them make informed decisions about their future.

“We are delighted when the students find a job they love and we see them take the next steps in their careers.”  

Stuart Dixon, Head Teacher at Whitworth Park Academy, in Spennymoor, added: “At Whitworth Park Academy we transform lives, enable choices for our children when they leave our school, and provide extraordinary opportunities.

“The chance to work in partnership with Livin, to enable young people to remain in their communities and progress into a brilliant career pathway, is something that excites us greatly. It’s a partnership we hope to continue for many years to come.”

  • For details on how to apply for one of the finance apprenticeships, visit www.livin.co.uk/about-us/current-vacancies.