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The Apprentice – Karbon style

Our apprenticeship scheme is a great way for us to provide employment opportunities to customers, while learning from them how we can be a better landlord. Let’s meet two of our most recent recruits.

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Mona Jammeh - Support Services Apprentice

I spent the last seven years working for the NHS as a semi staff nurse in Middlesbrough. My shifts were long and tiring which meant I didn’t get home until late at night and would miss spending valuable time with my two young children.

I knew I needed a lifestyle change and wanted to find a career that would give me a better work life balance. That’s when I saw an advert on Karbon’s Facebook page, advertising six new apprenticeship positions exclusively for Karbon customers.

One of the positions was an 18-month apprenticeship working within the Support Services Team while studying for a Level 2 in Customer Services at Gateshead College. I thought it was too good to be true. I didn’t think I had a chance because my background is in healthcare and this was a completely different role but I made enquiries.

I was referred to Karbon’s Foundations for Life Team and worked with employment advisor, Brendan McCreesh who supported me with my application, developed my CV and prepared me for my interview.

I was over the moon when I found out that I was successful. I’ve only been working in the role for a few weeks, but I can feel my confidence has lifted and I am really happy. It means so much to me to be able to finish work at a reasonable time and spend time with my family on an evening.

My role involves dealing with customers for booking in and following up repairs appointments and supporting the team with administrative duties. I hope my apprenticeship will lead to a permanent role and one day, I’d love to become a manager.

This is my dream job. There is a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes that I wasn’t aware of as a customer. This has allowed me to see first-hand the challenges that colleagues face and how Karbon works to puts its customers first.

 

 
Craig Patten - Grounds Maintenance Apprentice

After 12 years of working as a chef I found myself redundant in July last year in the midst of the pandemic.

I knew I needed to find another job to support my family in our home on the Byker Estate in Newcastle. When I saw an advert for apprenticeships that were available to Karbon Homes and Byker Community Trust (BCT) customers only, I was quick to apply.

I was successful in securing one of the grounds maintenance apprenticeships, based at Karbon’s Newburn office and working on Karbon’s estates and communities across North Durham. My role involves general environmental improvements such as grass cutting, hedge trimming, path edging, weed removal and litter picking but also grounds maintenance and inspection of play areas and other communal facilities.

Alongside my two-year apprenticeship, I’ll study one day a week for my Level 2 in Horticulture and Soft Landscaping at East Durham College.

Ever since school, all I’ve ever wanted to do is work outdoors so this job is perfect for me, and I get to study at the same time and gain a qualification.

When I was made redundant last year, I felt my whole life crumble around me, but they say things happen for a reason and if you told me this time last year that I would have a change of career and be working outdoors, I wouldn’t have believed you.

I think it’s great that Karbon has created these apprenticeship opportunities for customers like myself – it shows they really care about their customers and go above and beyond just providing a roof over somebody’s head.

Now I am working for the organisation, you see it from a totally different perspective. When we are working in an area to keep it clean and tidy, we want to do the best job possible and make it look nice and welcoming. I want the same for where I live, to make me and my family feel good.

Like all the other apprenticeship applicants, Craig had support from Karbon’s Foundations for Life Team to prepare for his new role.cy

Fancy a new challenge?

Karbon’s Foundations for Life is a free service of specialist advisors who support Karbon customers to develop your employability and digital skills to help you get into work, progress your career or simply develop new skills. Contact the team on 0191 223 8750 or email foundations@karbonhomes.co.uk

Keep an eye on our Facebook page @KarbonHomes and the careers section of our website for other job opportunities within Karbon.

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