Four council tenants have been recruited to long-term positions at Barnet Homes after taking part in the social landlords’ first ever apprenticeship scheme.

Myles Duffy, Anifa Junusso and Daisy Kao have joined Barnet Homes’ workforce after completing the year-long apprenticeship, while Aurora Antonio has been offered an 18-month advanced apprenticeship at the organisation.

Four others tenants who took part in Barnet Homes’ first apprenticeship scheme have improved their employment prospects through a combination of ‘on the job’ experience within different teams and completion of a paid-for Chartered Institute of Housing Qualification.

Myles Duffy said: “I came here after having lots of different jobs on short contractors and really wanted to develop a career. I’ve worked hard throughout the apprenticeship and I’m so happy to get a job afterwards.”

Anifa Junusso added: “The apprenticeship was everything I wanted and more. I got to learn from knowledgeable people and I always found support when I needed it. I’ve improved in so many areas.”

A second wave of apprentices are currently being selected by The Barnet Group, the parent company which oversees Barnet Homes and its sister adult social care organisation Your Choice Barnet.

Barnet Group Chief Executive, Tracey Lees, said: “We’re now one of Barnet’s largest employers and we’re determined to do whatever we can to support local people into work through our ongoing ‘Feeling the Squeeze?’ campaign.

“We particularly want to break the cycle of unemployment on some of our estates and make them places of ambition. That’s especially important at a time when the government’s welfare reform programme will reduce housing benefit for many of our tenants.

“I’m delighted that some of our first apprentices have been successful in applying for jobs at Barnet Homes and I look forward to following the progress of all of the apprentices over the coming months and years.”

The ‘Feeling the Squeeze?’ campaign was established by Barnet Homes in spring 2009 to support residents through the economic downturn by promoting training and employment opportunities, financial support, money saving measures and much more.