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Trainee Flourishing as Grampian HA’s Assistant Estate Caretaker in Moray |
Grampian Housing Association is reaping the rewards of participating in the Moray Assisted Recruitment Scheme (MARS) through apprentice Shaun Grant.
Employed as a Trainee Assistant Estate Caretaker, Shaun is gaining work experience in gardening and internal maintenance of shared areas in the Association's housing schemes throughout Moray. As well as undertaking a Scottish Vocational Qualification (Level 2) in Horticulture at Moray College, Shaun is learning to drive.
Shaun Grant said:
"I've always enjoyed working outdoors so when this apprenticeship came up I jumped at the chance. It's good going to college too because I'll have a qualification and I really hope that will help my chances of getting a full-time job."
Commenting on Shaun's success, Tim Fletcher, Grampian Housing Association's Estate Caretaker said:
"It's great to be able to give young people a chance to get into work. This scheme was the perfect route to appointing the extra member of staff we needed because it also supported the association's objective of creating employment opportunities for young people."
MARS aims to provide two years' employment for vulnerable young people aged 16 - 24 years who face difficulties successfully entering the employment market, including care leavers, young people with low attainment, disabilities or a lack of work experience. Participants also have the opportunity to gain a nationally recognized qualification preparing them well for the competitive workplace environment.
Commenting on the association's participation in the scheme, Peter Wilson, Employment Support Service said:
"The success of apprenticeships depends on organizations such as Grampian Housing Association giving young people, like Shaun, the chance to work. We thank association staff for the support that has been offered."
MARS was developed by Moray Community Planning Partnership and The Moray Council with initial funding from Fairer Scotland Fund. 28 employers are participating in the scheme giving a number of young people the opportunity to gain work experience and increase their longer term employment prospects.
Pictured: Shaun hard at work over the winter
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