Type=image;ImageID=11110;ImageClass=left;ImageTitle=Housing apprentice Ellie Reynolds;TitleClass=strong;
Ellie Reynolds, of Merry Hill, works in the housing assistance team, and has successfully completed the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) course with the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health.
At 16 years old, she is believed to be the youngest person to ever secure the qualification, which is normally attained by environmental health practitioners, property and housing managers, and social landlords.
The course enables delegates to assess homes to determine whether they have any deficiencies or hazards which may endanger the safety of occupants.
Ellie, who only left Highfields School, Warstones, in June, will now continue building her customer services officer experience alongside Housing Improvement Officer Lisa Morgan, as she aims to pin down a permanent job in the future.
Councillor John Reynolds, Cabinet Member for City Economy, said: "Improving skills among the young people in our city is crucial to our economic regeneration.
"Apprenticeships are an excellent pathway into employment and Ellie is grasping the opportunity with both hands - a big congratulations to her.
"The council also employs a number of apprentices in a variety of departments from neighbourhood services to digital transformation - and it has proved a very successful way to recruit staff.
"Not all young people are suited to classroom-based learning and apprenticeships are a great way to learn while you earn.
"Learning in the workplace through apprenticeships is also a good way for businesses to grow and develop the particular skills and attitudes they need in their company and gives young people much needed work experience and qualifications while avoiding the debt that comes with traditional academic routes.
"Local skills and employment partners and training providers are committed to driving up the number, quality and range of opportunities for people and business across the city.
"We are committed to seeing more opportunities made available in areas of high demand like health and social care and construction, as well as provide opportunities to support higher level opportunities in advanced manufacturing and engineering."
Ellie is currently completing her NVQ2 in Business Administration at City of Wolverhampton College and also spends 1day a week with Wolverhampton Homes.
She added: "The course I passed was hard but I was very motivated and - with the support of my manager, Lisa - I passed.
"I really enjoy working in the housing team at City of Wolverhampton Council and I would recommend doing an apprenticeship to anyone.
"It gives you the opportunity to gain valuable experience while you learn and hopefully will lead to a job at the end of it."
The council is working with city partners to promote apprenticeships and City of Wolverhampton College and the University of Wolverhampton are offering apprenticeships across a whole range of programme areas.
The university has established an Apprenticeship Hub in the city centre and together with the college is providing a 'one-stop' comprehensive offer for employers from Level 2 through to Level 7.
You can get in touch with the city's Apprenticeship Hub by calling 01902 323127 or emailing apprenticeshiphub@wlv.ac.uk.
- released: Tuesday 8 November, 2016