National Apprenticeship Week highlights that apprentices are more important than ever

As we mark this year’s National Apprenticeship Week (8-14 February), it is clear that apprenticeships are becoming more important than ever. Since the pandemic, good job opportunities for young people are even more in demand, while for businesses to flourish they need to build a workforce with the skills they need for the long term.

Rendall & Rittner runs a sector leading apprenticeship programme in partnership with Catch 22, which was the first of its type when it launched in 2017. The programme is going from strength to strength with 5 young people currently working for us as apprentice property managers and a further cohort expected to join us later this year. Two of the current cohort are Shannon Chu and Elisha Tenkorang, who will both gain a Level 3 diploma and IRPM membership when their course finishes next spring.

Shannon is part of the team based at Woolwich Arsenal and always thought she would like to work in property. After she left school, she worked for her father who is a residential landlord for a year and then came across the apprenticeship and decided to apply.

Shannon feels there is often a misconception about apprenticeships, she says: “I didn’t necessarily think an apprenticeship was for me as I thought it would be very focused on studying. The reality is it is like having a real job – I am treated just like a full employee of the company. It is the best of both worlds as I get the experience and income of working but the support and training too. It is a great way to get a foundation in business and I really hope to be able to stay on with Rendall & Rittner after my course ends.”

Given the circumstances of the past year, much of the study side of the course is being delivered online. Shannon and Elisha take part in regular sessions with their tutors from Catch 22 via video conference.

Elisha was also keen to pursue a career in property but wasn’t aware of property management until he found the apprenticeship online. Now working as part of the team based out of our Vauxhall office, Elisha relishes the opportunity he has had to learn on the job.

He says: “I’ve really enjoyed being given the responsibility to get on with the role, allowing me to learn quickly. If like me, you leave school not really knowing what you want to do, apprenticeships offer a great way to properly see the corporate world from the inside and find out what suits you. Rendall & Rittner have been very supportive and the team are always happy to help. I’m just very grateful to have this opportunity, with plenty of scope to progress in the future.”

by Catherine Orezzi, HR Director