Building careers together with Bell Group

A Wythenshawe resident has landed a Painting and Decorating Apprenticeship with Bell Group, thanks to support from our Real Opportunities Scheme.

Olivia first came to our Employment team last year when she applied for an apprenticeship with us. She impressed the team with her enthusiasm and positive attitude, making it through the recruitment workshop and interview stages. Although she didn’t get the apprenticeship at the final stage, our team saw her potential and knew she had plenty to offer.

So, we kept in touch and continued to help Olivia through our Real Opportunities Scheme, supporting her to keep working towards her career goals.

A year later, that support paid off. After being introduced to Bell Group through our Community Development team, we started working with them to find a Wythenshawe resident interested in a Painting and Decorating Apprenticeship, Olivia immediately came to mind. Our team remembered her enthusiasm and knew the opportunity could be a great fit, especially as she’d already told us she was keen to build a career in the trade.

Olivia jumped at the opportunity and completed a one-week work trial with Bell Group, giving her the chance to experience the role and show the team what she could do.

Throughout the process, our Employment team kept in touch with Olivia and Bell Group. The trial was a success – and Olivia was offered the apprenticeship!

Olivia said: “With the amazing help and support of Adele and Poppi [from the Employment team], I have found the right career for me where I am fully supported, accepted and taught to the highest standard. This even motivated me to start my driving lessons which had been a big aim for me.”

It’s a brilliant result and a great example of what can happen when we work together with local partners to create opportunities for Wythenshawe residents.

Adele, our Employment Co-ordinator, said: “It’s been a real pleasure for us to work with Olivia throughout her journey. We’ve supported her with updating her CV, writing a cover letter, one-to-one sessions and building her confidence, as well as offering advice and guidance along the way. Olivia has really engaged with us, and we’re delighted to have helped her reach her goal.

“A huge well done to Olivia, and a big thank you to Bell Group for supporting a Wythenshawe resident. We wish you every success, Olivia!”

Jack, Contracts Supervisor from Bell Group, shared: “Olivia really impressed us during her placement, and we were pleased to offer her an apprenticeship with our company, where she’ll be working towards her Level 1 and Level 2 qualifications in Painting and Decorating.

“Olivia is a friendly, polite young woman with a fantastic work ethic and a real willingness to learn. She has already shown great potential, and we’re excited to support her as she develops her skills and begins her career in the industry. We’re sure Olivia has a very bright future ahead of her.

“A big thank you to Wythenshawe Community Housing Group for recommending Olivia to us and helping create this fantastic opportunity.”

Congratulations, Olivia! We wish you every success as you start this exciting new chapter.

If you’re looking for support to get into work or training, we’d love to help! You can find out more on our Help into Work page.