Guinness celebrates success of Oldham apprentice joiner Kian

To mark National Apprentice Week (February 8-14), the Guinness Partnership housing association is celebrating its apprenticeship programme and the value that apprenticeships bring to local communities.

Kian Smith from Oldham is due to complete his apprenticeship as a joiner in October.

He decided to become an apprentice as the opportunity to gain hands-on experience really appealed to him. 

Having seen the success friends and family members had through the apprenticeship route, he knew this was the right path for him to take.

This year is the 14th annual National Apprenticeship Week, coordinated by the National Apprenticeship Service. 

This annual week-long celebration of apprenticeships across England, is a time to recognise and applaud apprenticeship success stories across the country. 

The Guinness Partnership has invested in trade apprenticeships for a number of years, covering all the key trade areas such as Plumbing, Joinery, Plastering, Electrical and Property Maintenance.

Kian is one of 18 trade apprentices currently at Guinness. 

All of them have been provided with tablets and mobile phones so they can continue their training during the pandemic and ensure they have the best possible support to enable them to successfully complete their apprenticeships.

Commenting on his career choice, Kian said: “Getting an apprenticeship is the best thing I have done and it’s been a brilliant journey.

"Guinness has really looked after me and I’m looking forward to the future and having a successful career.”

Kat Healy, Training Manager at the Guinness Partnership, said: “Apprenticeships are a key way of promoting skills development and increasing diversity across the construction and housing maintenance sectors. 

“Since the Covid-19 restrictions were announced last year our apprentices, and their mentors, have shown great dedication to their work.

"I’m so proud of Kian, and all our apprentices, who are still able to complete their qualifications and provide a valuable, Covid-safe, service to their communities during this difficult time.”

Despite the difficulties caused by the Covid pandemic, 2020 saw ten apprentices fully complete their apprenticeship, with eight of those ten becoming full-time employees of Guinness.

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