On the eve of National Apprentice Week (9 to 13 March), Asra Housing Group, one of the largest employers in Leicester City and its biggest social landlord, has announced a new initiative to offer Apprenticeships and Traineeships for local people.

As part of Asra’s ongoing commitment to support the communities in which it works, theSkills+ project aims to offer at least 30 work placement opportunities, and support people to complete more than 150 qualifications. The pilot project will run for 18 months and will be delivered in partnership with Leicester College.

Skills+ vacancies are already being advertised with the first new Apprentice already in post. Faiza, who began her Apprenticeship in the Customer Contact Centre, says:

“It’s been amazing; I love the step by step support!”

Faiza – Skills+ Apprentice

 Asra has a strong track record of assisting people into work and encouraging them to undertake training. The group supports Apprentices and Trainees in its repairs and maintenance team in Northampton, offers a Volunteer Training Programme in the One Woolwich regeneration area and offers ‘Ready for Work’ a four week work placement scheme.

The group engaged with New Deal, Future Jobs and the Step-Up to provide placement opportunities and offered 42 contracts of employment under the Future Jobs scheme. As part of Leicester City Council’s successful Step Up programme, asra supported three unemployed young people through work placements in its Head Office in Leicester. All three young people have gone on to secure permanent employment, two within the group.

 Asra is building on this success with Skills+, as part of a growing local and national commitment to Apprenticeships. The project has attracted support from the Skills Funding Agency and from the Leicester and Leicestershire Economic Partnership. Corin Crane, Director of LLEP says:

‘’The LLEP fully supports this project and it’s very exciting that the launch will take place during National Apprentice Week. We recruited our own apprentice during this week last year, and we recognise the value of having enthusiastic and talented apprentices in the workplace.”

Corin Crane, Director of LLEP