A HOUSING association has helped two ‘adult improver’ apprentices get in to work.

Sovereign has welcomed two Kimberley Wheatland, 29, and Harry Eagles, 24 to its Basingstoke team, helping the fledging tradespeople take their first steps to new careers.

The apprenticeship scheme is aimed at women and older people looking for a change of career direction, rather than school leavers.

Trades such as such as plumbing, carpentry, and electrical work are on offer to participants, as well as positions within the customer service team.

Kimberley and Harry were among 100 applicants who went for the places on the Building for Future pilot, launched by Sovereign earlier this year.

Those who complete the course successfully will be offered a job.

Operations Manager, Michelle Larkin, said: “The 30-month adult improvers programme sees trainees spend their first six months’ completing on-the-job learning within Sovereign Response; getting to know the business, the customers and the way that Sovereign operates. After that, they begin studying for an NVQ2 in their chosen trade.”

It was Kimberley and Harry’s attention to detail and passion for their future trades that won them a place on the scheme, rather than a focus on traditional qualifications.

Kimberley, who is training as a carpenter, said: “I went through a tough time in my life. My partner and I were struggling to have kids and that took over everything, I couldn’t find a way past it. The only thing that cheered me up was working with wood. I built a shed with windows and skylights from scratch just so that I could use my hands.

“Then, Lauren, an employment and training officer at Sovereign, told me about the adult improvers’ apprenticeship. When I found out I’d got it I was over the moon. This job means the world to me and my partner. It’s given me a new focus. Every day he says: “You’ve got this!” and I know that I have. Sovereign has been great, I’m learning everything by doing it hands on, and I’m bettering myself. If other women follow in my footsteps, then that’s even better.”

Harry, training as a plumber, wanted a change of career. He said: “When I left school I had to find a job quickly due to family commitments, but I’d always wanted to work in a trade. To show how passionate I was about becoming a plumber I took pictures of the bathroom installation I’d completed at home along to my interview. I told the team that I’d taught myself by watching YouTube videos and talked through how I’d made my decisions at each stage of the process.”