Four for Hartlepool

Redundancy and funding issues almost scuppered the life chances of two apprentices until Housing Hartlepool stepped in to save the day – and their fledgling careers.

Ryan Jackson’s apprenticeship was threatened by redundancy until the organisation stepped in to offer the 18-year-old a position as an apprentice joiner. Daniel Rowbotham, 27, an apprentice gas fitter, was working as a grounds operative, but the job funding with his previous employer came to an end.

Housing Hartlepool has also taken on apprentices David Stonehouse, 25, and Kyle Hanley, 17. The former is an apprentice plumber. Previously he was working as a bathroom fitter/tiler but wanted to advance his career. Hanley is an apprentice electrician.

“Housing Hartlepool is committed to apprenticeships as it is essential to ensure there is an on-going fresh generation of skilled workers coming through to meet future needs,” said Bernadette Stainsby, head of HR. “Apprentices bring a wide range of benefits to an organisation including a trained workforce specialising in a particular sector’s requirements. We are particularly delighted to have been able to offer apprenticeships to high quality candidates, whose career ambitions were at risk of being interrupted due to redundancy and funding issues.”