Pictured above: Fay Tomlin

A Birmingham woman has seized the opportunity to earn whilst she learns after securing an apprenticeship at the region's leading housing, care and support organisation.

Fay Tomlin, 20, is one of five apprentices currently employed by Midland Heart under its apprenticeship scheme and as a former customer understands first hand the challenges many individuals face. 

Based within the organisation's homeless housing schemes, Fay will help customers from Hanwood House and Muirhead House in Birmingham by providing advice and assistance on a variety of day-to-day enquiries as well as working with customers to enable them to gain the skills needed to move onto independent living.

Fay was thrilled to hear that she has been selected as an apprentice support worker, and before securing the position studied A-level drama and art, as well as gaining a football coaching badge. 

Fay Tomlin, an apprentice support worker at Midland Heart, said: "I've always wanted to work with people and provide a level of support which really makes a difference to their lives, but have never had the opportunity before.  

"As a former Midland Heart customer, my experiences have helped me empathise with customers and understand what they are going through. 

"The apprenticeship is also helping me to develop a work ethic as well as gaining new skills. I would urge anyone looking for employment opportunities to seriously think about an apprenticeship as a first step." 

Since the launch of its apprenticeship scheme in 2010, Midland Heart has created 31 apprentice roles.  

Elaine Le Montais, head of worklessness at Midland Heart, added: "Apprenticeships are a fantastic way to assist people of all ages to get into work or change their career.  

"As an organisation, it gives us the opportunity to nurture and develop people who have a passion to improve their knowledge and skills at a time where there are limited jobs available."  

The apprenticeship scheme is one of the many areas where Midland Heart is working hard to help people who are finding it difficult to find employment. In the last year they have created 49 jobs within the organisation, 123 volunteering opportunities and helped 1,523 people with pre-employment activities.