Developer Gentoo building up skills at work

Jan 15 2010 by Chris Knox, The Journal

PROPERTY developer and construction firm Gentoo has recently welcomed five new recruits to the group as part of a Supported Apprenticeship Programme, with more to follow later this month.

The programme, funded through the Working Neighbourhoods Fund from the local authority, is aimed at supporting young people who are not in education, employment or training into apprenticeships.

As part of the programme, which is in partnership with Springboard Sunderland as part of the Hub (Helping U B) project, Sunderland-based Gentoo has offered 10 Supported Apprenticeship Placements over two years to young people in Sunderland.

Applicants were identified by Connexions and, following an interview process, five Supported Apprentices began with the firm last October with two more to follow this month and another three in February.

The apprentices spend a year at the firm and receive work experience as well as training and development, with each apprentice having a staff member as a mentor.

Laura Brown, an apprentice in the communications section, said: “I am getting real life work experience. Before I started work, I had been unemployed for seven months and was finding it really hard to find a job.”