Celebrating housing apprentices: Queens Cross and Osprey Housing
Today’s apprentices are from Queens Cross Housing Association and Osprey Housing.
Scottish Apprenticeship Week 2019 is taking place from 4 to 8 March. To mark the week and celebrate the benefits Modern Apprenticeships bring to the housing sector – and the apprentices themselves – SFHA is featuring some of its members’ apprentices in Housing Scotland Today.
Today’s apprentices are from Queens Cross Housing Association, which is based in North Glasgow, and Osprey Housing, which operates across North East Scotland.
Queens Cross Housing Association’s apprentices are Liam Boyle, Apprentice Electrician, 18; Lee Campbell, Apprentice Plumber, 18; Taylor McPhail, Business SQA Level 3 Modern Apprenticeship, 18; and Gary Miller, Business SQA Level 3 Modern Apprenticeship, 19.
Liam Boyle said: “I’m enjoying the variety of the role, doing different things and learning on the job and in college every day.
“I’d like to stay at Queens Cross but I’ll take it as it comes. I wouldn’t go out my way to move to another organisation.”
Lee Campbell said: “I like learning about the different areas of plumbing, and I’m enjoying working in a different environment from school.
“After my apprenticeship I’d like to be kept on by Queens Cross and one day in the future I’d love to start my own plumbing company.
Taylor McPhail said: “I’ve really gained from the experience of working in different offices within the organisation.
“My customer services skills have improved, and I’m now a more confident person. I’d like to go to college and study accountancy after I complete my apprenticeship.
Gary Miller said: “I’ve enjoyed it so far. My team has been really supportive, and I’ve gained a lot of different skills.
“I’ll take it as it comes when I finish. In a housing association, there’s so many different roles and a lot of room for progression, so I can work my way up if all goes well during my apprenticeship.”
Osprey Housing’s Modern Apprentices are Keith Robertshaw, 18, and Ellis Masson, 18.
Keith is part of Osprey’s Corporate Service Team. He said: “I live close to the Osprey offices, and it’s nice to get the opportunity to be able to work near to home and support my local community.
“I’ve been encouraged to learn new skills. I’m also looking forward to going out to visit tenants, so I can see the impact of decisions made in the office.”
Regarding his future plans, Keith added: “I’d like to stay in a similar role, as I am gaining a valuable insight into dealing with people and learning how important customer care is.”
Ellis is part of the IT Team. He said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for me, and I’m really pleased to be able to build my knowledge whilst getting valuable on-the-job training. I’m working locally, as part of a team, developing my skills and helping to deliver Osprey’s enhanced digital services to our customers.
“I see my long term career in an IT department and Osprey are giving me the skills and experience that I need to get there.”