DCG Success Stories

Training apprentices is a key element of Derby Homes’ succession planning – ensuring that the business always has a pool of skilled staff to replace its older employees as they retire.

An ALMO (Arm’s Length Management Organisation) Derby Homes is a fully owned subsidiary of Derby City Council and is responsible for managing and maintaining all the council’s housing stock.

It has been working with Derby College Group (DCG) for nearly a decade and currently has around 20 DCG apprentices on its books.

It provides apprenticeships in business administration and housing and surveying as well as in the electrical, joinery, plumbing and plastering construction trades.

Sophie Bancroft, employee development and corporate support manager at Derby Homes, said: “We have an aging workforce so apprenticeships are a vital part of our succession planning.

“Many of our apprentices stay with us once they qualify, taking permanent roles and progressing through the organisation.

“We have a long and successful relationship with Derby College and, as a Derby City Council subsidiary, feel it’s important to work with our local further education provider.

“Our DCG apprentices get to learn on-site alongside our experienced employees and have the benefit of going into college one day a week.

“We’re also proud to recruit female apprentices into the construction trades – an area not traditionally seen as female and where women are often underrepresented.

“We currently have three from Derby College; two in painting and one in joinery.

“Because all our Derby College apprenticeships are at least two-years long – and in some cases four years – we are able to take the time to invest in our apprentices; watching them flourish in their roles and grow as people.

“In addition, the programme gives our experienced employees the chance to be mentors  and pass on their skills to the next generation.”

Derby Homes also provides opportunities for existing staff to utilise apprenticeships to gain skills and progress their career, in turn enabling the development of ‘talent pipelines’ within the organisation.

Sophie added: “Apprentice qualifications have traditionally been perceived as only relevant for school leavers and for junior entry level roles.

“At Derby Homes we’re working to develop a greater awareness of the types of apprenticeships available, particularly higher-level apprenticeships, and the benefits they offer for both new and existing employees.”

Employing more than 500 staff, the organisation currently manages and maintains 12,757 residential properties, of which 60 are shared ownership and the remainder are for rent.