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Apprentices come on board at Railway
01 March 2010

Apprentices come on board at Railway

It may have taken 90 years but Railway Housing Association is making up for lost time by taking on not one, but two young apprentices.

Charlotte Wallace and Hayley Hanselaar are the first young people employed by Railway Housing Association on the Government’s National Apprenticeship scheme.

The pair are both working at the Association’s head office in Neasham Road. The Association owns and manages 1,340 rented properties across the UK, including around 400 in Darlington.

Charlotte, 17, who lives in the Eastbourne area of Darlington, is working as a Maintenance Clerk while studying for an NVQ Level 3 in Business Administration, while Hayley, 16, who lives on the Moorfields Estate, is employed as a Receptionist while studying for an NVQ Level 2 in Business Administration.

Both Charlotte and Hayley will spend a year working for the Association, gaining the job experience and qualifications that will hopefully lead to full-time employment either at Railway Housing Association or for another organisation.

Charlotte, who started work in October and has already completed her NVQ Level 2, spends her time answering and logging telephone calls from residents who need repairs making to their homes, as well as liaising with contractors to ensure this work is carried out within time and to the satisfaction of residents.

She said: “I am really enjoying working here as it is great place to work. I get to speak to many different people and I like being able to help the residents who contact us if they have a repair that needs carrying out.”

Hayley, who started work in January, is the first person people see when they come into the office.

She said: “Everyone is so friendly in the office and they have made me very welcome. I like speaking to the people who come in to the office and helping to deal with their enquiries.”

Hayley and Charlotte are also coming to terms with having money in their pockets for the first time (they receive £90 a week). In Charlotte’s case this means splashing on expensive boots, whilst Hayley is a saver.

Anne Rowlands, Railway Housing Association Chief Executive, said: “We are delighted with the progress both Hayley and Charlotte are making and they are both making a very positive contribution to the work of Railway Housing Association.”