What happened when a director and an apprentice switched roles for a day?
The executive director: Hayley Davies
Hayley Davies
As housing professionals we must understand that young people are our future and this week I was pleased to gain a unique insight into the contribution they make to my own organisation during a job swap with Ryan Cresswell, one of our grounds maintenance apprentices.
I was able to get stuck in with the physically demanding work that Ryan and his team do in what was an immensely valuable opportunity for us to gain a better understanding of the challenges of our respective roles.
I was inspired to hear how Ryan managed his work alongside his studies and of the aspirations he has both for himself and his community. He provided a unique insight into how he is using the opportunities provided by his apprenticeship with us, and how it benefits both himself and the business. It was gratifying to see the genuine commitment he has to succeed and make a difference.
The experience made me proud to be part of a company that makes a real contribution to the development of the young people who will ultimately deliver the services of the future.
Apprenticeship schemes are a win-win solution and given our role in the community, housing providers are arguably best placed to employ apprentices. As well helping young people to get their first step onto the career ladder, apprentices make a genuine contribution to our own work. Not only are they key to our day-to-day services, they inject a fresh outlook and energy.
In turn for giving young people a step onto the career ladder, we benefit from those fresh ideas to deliver better services for our tenants. Just as our sector has a lot to offer young people, we must remember young people have a lot to offer the sector too.
The apprentice: Ryan Cresswell
Ryan Cresswell
It is easy to focus solely on the project at hand, so trading places with the executive director for the day was a great opportunity to learn more about the work of my organisation and how what I do fits into our wider agenda.
I have to say I now have a great deal of respect for Hayley and her team. I had an image in my head of executives sitting at a desk all day, but seeing the scale of work involved in keeping each part of the organisation working towards the same goals really opened my eyes. I valued the chance to give Hayley an insight into what my team does, helping her get hands on experience and impart some of the skills I have picked up in my two years with Daventry & District Housing.
After we'd been out on site I headed back to the office for the second part of the swap where I chaired a management team meeting. I have to admit this was quite daunting, and worlds away from my usual work, but I really enjoyed the experience. It gave me a flavour of each of the different functions of the organisation and the priorities we have. I think coming in with a different perspective actually helped because I could avoid getting bogged down and take an overview of the issues.
I came away from the day having genuinely gained knowledge of what we do as a housing provider and the role we play in the community. It was good to feel valued as a younger person and to know that your role and your views are important to the organisation.
My own experience shows the importance of apprenticeships. I started work straight from school and stayed in the same job for about four years. I wasn't happy there and didn't see where it was going. Then I found out about the opportunity at Daventry & District Housing and it really appealed to me.
Since I joined my skills and confidence have grown. I've managed to gain vital experience and qualifications and I can take these wherever I go. Ultimately one day my aim is to set up my own business and I feel my apprenticeship has given me the experience I need to achieve this. My experience shows the importance of helping young people at the start of their careers and the potential of the housing sector to provide these opportunities.