Last year we shared Steven’s story. Steven is a Southwark resident who was working as a plumbing apprentice at our Manor Place Depot development, just off Walworth Road. Since then, Steven has had a very busy year. We caught up on his progress.

While on site at Manor Place Depot, Steven worked alongside a large number of experienced and qualified professionals, who supported him each day with learning different aspects of plumbing. He completed his portfolio and gained his apprenticeship well before he was due to finish.

Steven was also given the opportunity to work with Wates, one of Notting Hill Genesis’ maintenance contractors, on a three month placement. It is here that he was able to learn different aspects of plumbing from a maintenance point of view, adding more skills to his ever expanding plumbing knowledge.

Talking about his placement with Wates, Steven says, "Working with Wates was an amazing experience. It allowed me to get more hands on, and to do more problem solving which I enjoy. The team were very supportive, helpful and friendly. Maintenance is definitely something that I am considering a career in."

Working with our supply chain allowed Steven to broaden his career choices. His placement allowed him to experience new things and to develop his skills.

In November 2019 Steven left Notting Hill Genesis after receiving a job offer with Mears, another of Notting Hill Genesis’ maintenance contractors. Gaining his apprenticeship and having an internal placement gave him the confidence and ability to be able to take the offer and carve out a new career path in plumbing maintenance.

Tara Spencer, Construction Skills Project Officer and Steven's line manager while he worked at Notting Hill Genesis says, "Steven is a very conscientious and hard worker. He is reliable and shows an aptitude for plumbing. His attitude to learning is commendable. He has been an absolute pleasure to line manage. Should he continue this way he has a bright future ahead of him and will go very far within the industry."

If Steven's story has inspired you to look for an apprenticeship opportunity, please contact Valerie Alaro by email Valerie.Alaro@nhg.org.uk or by phone 07892 766804 as we currently have a number of opportunities on the Aylesbury regeneration.