Determination and a can-do spirit have spelled success for a Loughborough College apprentice and for the community.
Tracey Riley had been out of work for three years but her tireless dedication to demanding voluntary work and to gaining qualifications so impressed Wates Living Space that they asked her to join them.
“As soon as I first met the site team while volunteering for Charnwood Borough Council I thought they were people I could identify with. As a tenant and customer on the scheme I had not even considered the prospect of a job so I was absolutely thrilled when they offered me the chance to join them.”
Alongside completing a range of professional qualifications including a level three diploma in Housing Practice, Tracey’s voluntary roles included helping to run her local community centre, assisting people into learning when they had been out of work for a while and acting as Vice Chair at the Charnwood Borough Council Resident Forum, as well as becoming a member of their Advisory Board.
Tracey became Apprentice Resident Liaison Officer for the Wates Shoreline team in Spring this year and hopes eventually to work with Wates as a fully qualified Resident Liaison Officer. “My apprenticeship is mostly on the job training, which is really good for me as I’m really pleased to have the chance to learn something new without being stuck in a classroom all day.”
Julie Willshee, Assessor and Trainer at Loughborough College said: “Tracey has enjoyed learning on the job and completing her college work in her workplace.
“Her apprenticeship at Wates Living Space highlights the range and variety of job roles and opportunities open to students wishing to follow an apprenticeship programme of study in Customer Service or Business Administration.
“And as a college we aim to ensure apprenticeship programmes are flexible and meet the employer’s needs.”
Wates Construction Manager Andy Brown added: “When we interviewed Tracey it was plain to see that she would be an asset to the team because of her local knowledge and previous voluntary work.
“We wish Tracey all the very best with her Apprenticeship and will offer support and guidance for her future career.”
Picture shows Loughborough College and Wates apprentice Tracey Riley with Section Manager Alan Cooper.