As part of the National Apprenticeship Week (14 – 18 March), Connells Group pledged to take on 150 apprentices across its head office and estate agency subsidiaries over the next year. The Group’s pledge is in cooperation with the Skills Funding Agency’s Apprenticeship Pledge-O-Meter and promises to help kick start the careers of many young people hoping to get into the property industry.

Launched in January 2013, the Connells Group Apprenticeship Scheme offers young people aged 16 to 23 the opportunity to ‘earn while they learn’ and develop vital skills across many professional disciplines.

The scheme is extremely successful, in three years nearly 200 apprentices have achieved their NVQ qualifications and continued into full time roles within the company, resulting in an above average completion rate of 70 per cent. With nearly 130 apprenticeships currently live, the Group’s pledge means that apprentices will make up nearly 4.5 per cent of the company’s 6,400 employees.

David Livesey, Connells Group CEO says, “Our Apprenticeship Scheme signifies an incredible opportunity both for young people wanting to get into the industry and for us as an employer. We offer our apprentices all the coaching and training they need to be the best in the business, as well as excellent career progression.”