Pictured above: WM Housing apprentices at the Apprentice of the Year awards earlier this year

A west midlands housing group has been recognised nationally for its commitment to boosting employment by being named in the first Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers list.

The Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers, supported by the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) and City & Guilds, is a new initiative to recognise excellence in businesses that employ apprentices in a bid to raise the profile of apprenticeships and promote their benefits to learners and employers alike. 

WM Housing Group, based at Bromsgrove, was one of the 100 employers announced last night (June 30) at the annual National Apprenticeship Awards. 

Increased funding for apprenticeships and new frameworks being developed means there has never been a better time for learners to consider alternative paths to employment, such as Apprenticeships. The Government has announced it will increase funding to hit the target of 100,000 new apprenticeships and they will play an integral role in providing the skills required to grow Britain's economy. 

WM Housing Group has taken on 52 apprentices across the business in the last five years and they have completed 73 qualifications ranging from level 1 NVQ through to degrees. 

The company has been able to save money in recruitment costs through recruiting 32 apprentices off its scheme and now has five ex-apprentices who have progressed to first line manager positions. 

After a rigorous selection process the most outstanding apprenticeship employers from all four National Apprenticeship Awards employer categories went forward to feature in the list.

Simon Wright, group head of organisational development at WM Housing Group, said: "We are delighted to have been named in the top 100 apprentice employers. WM Housing Group is committed to investing in people through our learning culture and we are always looking to improve our apprenticeship scheme for our young people and the business so that we can make it the best that it can be.

"Our approach to apprenticeships is unique, it's more than just work, gaining skills and qualifications. It encompasses everything including the social and pastoral care of our young people. We take care of our apprentices and we see the investment in apprentices as an investment in the future of the business."

This year WM Housing Group is hoping to recruit its first two housing apprentices as well as developing apprenticeships in areas of the business where it hasn't previously had placements, including in communications. 

WM Housing Group is also currently running a campaign to work with its residents to increase training, skills and work aspirations in a bid to increase job opportunities and employability for customers. 

Simon Waugh, executive chairman of the National Apprenticeship Service said:

"I am delighted to be celebrating the success of the first Top 100 Apprenticeship employers; they represent the very best Apprenticeship programmes across the country. The list includes organisations of all sizes, from a wealth of industry sectors and this highlights the benefits that Apprenticeships offer to all types of employers including increased productivity and improved staff retention."