Fifteen young Barnet residents have got their foot on the career ladder after being selected at The Barnet Group’s recent apprenticeship day to start a one year course in September. They will be the latest apprentices taken on by the group as part of its ongoing strategy to invest in the talents and skills of the community and attract young, enthusiastic employees.

The successful candidates had to pass tests and interviews, as well as take part in challenging team building exercises, during the selection day on 30 May.

The apprentices are aged between 16 and 24, most are qualified to GCSE level, and will work in the following departments: Human Resources, Health and Safety, Facilities, Leasehold, Communications, Finance andOperations Environment, for £95 a week.

Each year The Barnet Group, along with its partners, provides an apprenticeship programme which offers young people the opportunity to work four days a week. In addition, they spend one day at Barnet College studying towards an NVQ in subjects such as housing or business administration.

Barnet Homes’ Director of Business Services, Troy Henshall, said: “Some candidates impressed the panel so much that two were selected for a department which had originally only planned on taking one.

“We provide a mentor to help with any questions or problems, and a development programme to help them plan their future, improve their interview skills, write CVs and effectively search for work.

All apprenticeships are a good way to start a career, and we look forward to seeing our 15 new apprenticeships enjoying their new roles and making us as proud of them as their predecessors did, some of whom now work for us permanently.”