The Guinness Partnership Celebrates Success of Milton Keynes Apprentice   

To mark National Apprentice Week (7-13 Feb) housing association, The Guinness Partnership, is celebrating its apprenticeship programme and the value apprentices bring to local communities. 

This year is the 15th annual National Apprenticeship Week, coordinated by the National Apprenticeship Service.  This week-long celebration across England, is a time to recognise and applaud apprenticeship success stories across the country.  

Helen Ballinger from Milton Keynes has been an Area Works Coordinator Apprentice since September 2021, carrying out a variety of tasks, including liaising with Guinness subcontractors to ensure repair works in residents’ homes are completed promptly.  

When Helen left college last summer, she already had some voluntary experience in customer service and was keen to have a career in this field – she is due to complete her apprenticeship in March 2023. 

The Guinness Partnership has invested in business apprenticeships for  several years, covering key business areas such as Customer Service, Accounts and Data Analysis.  

During 2021 seven business apprentices were recruited, with four of the graduating apprentices being retained as full-time employees of Guinness. 

Commenting on her career choice, Helen said: “I really enjoy being an apprentice as it is a great way to get a full-time job, whilst also undertaking relevant training at the same time. I recommend anyone interested in doing an apprenticeship to choose one which is most suited to your experience, interests and qualifications.“ 

Kat Healey, Training Manager at The Guinness Partnership said: “Providing apprenticeship opportunities is a vital way of promoting skills development and increasing diversity across the construction and housing maintenance sectors. I am so proud of Helen and the progress she has made.  She is an inspiration to anyone who may wish to take up a business apprenticeship.” 

This year Guinness will be recruiting 13 apprentices, providing them with the support and training to enable them to successfully complete their apprenticeships and kickstart their careers.