Apprenticeships
We will soon begin planning for our 2025 Apprenticeships and we expect to announce them during National Apprenticeship Week which starts on Monday February 10th 2025. Please keep checking back for updates.
We are very proud of our apprenticeship scheme at St Leger Homes, and the role it plays in supporting local people to grow their skills and learn within our business. Every year we attract some fantastic candidates who help us deliver excellent customer-centred services, whilst understanding the positive difference we can all make working for a local social housing provider.
A huge proportion of those apprentices gain long term employment with us and many spend their whole career in the business.
We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion for everyone, every day.
If you have any further questions around apprenticeships, please email SLHDWOW@stlegerhomes.co.uk
An apprenticeship means doing a real job with quality training whilst gaining a qualification in the workplace.
You'll earn a salary while you learn and be given allocated study time.
The features of an apprenticeship are:
- You'll be studying a nationally recognised qualification;
- You will receive a minimum of 12 months training, dependent on the qualification. This could be up to four years for a higher level qualification;
- You will be working typically at least 30 hours per week;
- There will be a mix of on the job training and classroom learning, dependent on the qualification; and
- Around 20 per cent of your working hours will be spent on study towards your qualification
Our diverse and vast range of services bring great opportunities in different fields.
There are also clear career pathways available and we are committed to supporting the personal development of our staff.
We would love you to be part of our future workforce and would do our best to make the apprenticeship journey the very best experience it can be for you.
Working at St Leger Homes can be extremely rewarding and provides a real opportunity to serve our residents and communities.
Our staff need to be motivated, passionate and share our core values:
- Fairness – act fairly, demonstrating our respect for all people and the things we do, creating a truly collaborative culture where everyone can thrive, be safe and learn from each other.
- Excellence – strive for excellence in our work, delivering customer focussed services that consistently meet the needs of Doncaster communities and are ambitious for the future.
- Empowerment – create a positive and can-do culture in which everyone is empowered to be the best they can be, is open and honest in their interactions and where constructive challenge is the norm.
- Local – work with our colleague, tenants and partners to achieve more, being ambitious for Doncaster and taking pride in making a difference for our communities.
To help you make that decision, here are some of the benefits you will experience:
- Gaining valuable skills, experience and knowledge;
- Enhancing your employability, future job prospects and career opportunities;
- Receiving a salary whilst learning, avoiding significant debts which come from the traditional university route;
- Enhancing your social skills and confidence through working with others; and
- Potentially using an apprenticeship as an alternative route to gaining qualifications needed as entry requirements to higher-level qualifications.
We offer a variety of apprenticeships in roles across the business each year.
These include construction-based roles in our Property Services teams such as Gas and Plumbing, Electrical, Joinery, Bricklaying and more.
We also offer more office-based roles in teams like Human Resources, ICT, Customer Services and Business Administration.
Please visit our St Leger Homes jobs page for our current vacancies.
The following levels of qualifications are available through an apprenticeship:
Intermediate - level two
An intermediate apprenticeship is equivalent to five good GCSE passes. Apprentices work towards work-based learning qualifications such as an NVQ level two.
Advanced - level three
An advanced apprenticeship is equivalent to two A-level passes. Advanced apprentices work towards work-based learning qualifications such as an NVQ level three.
Higher - levels four to seven
Higher apprenticeships offer a work-based learning programme and lead to a nationally recognised qualification at one of the following:
- Levels four and five are equivalent to a higher education certificate, higher education diploma or a foundation degree.
- Level six is equivalent to a degree.
- Level seven is equivalent to a master’s degree.
The level of apprenticeship pay may vary from role to role and will be made clear as part of the advert for a particular position.
One of the great benefits of an apprenticeship is the qualification is paid for by us, rather than you having to pay for it.
Working for St Leger Homes can offer fantastic career opportunities, benefits and rewards to anyone who works for us:
- One on One and team mentorship/support
- On the job training
- Relevant external training and development
- Challenging and meaningful work to give you the opportunity to put your learning into practice
You will also be eligible to a number of our usual benefits which you can find here
Vacancies will be advertised on our jobs website and we recommend you keep an eye on it for new opportunities.
You can also set up job alerts which will send you an email when a vacancy arises that matches the criteria you have set.
Meet some of our apprentices
We are proud of the apprenticeship scheme that we have created, recruiting some of the best skills and personalities the industry has to offer and building a workforce, with many of our apprentices eventually joining us for permanent employment.
Nathaniel Amoussou, who became an apprentice plasterer with us in September 2023.
Why did you apply for an apprenticeship with us?
I decided to apply for an apprenticeship at St Leger Homes because it’s a great opportunity to learn different skills, earn, and be able to make a difference to my community by my contributions.
Were you successful in your interview? What does your week look like now?
I was successful at my interview; and since I started as an apprentice plasterer, I have opportunities to work under great mentors who have long years of experience. They teach, support, and provide me with all the knowledge required for my role.
I go to college once a week to learn multiple techniques, including; repairing all types of walls that require plaster, and even how to use different products to solve any issues after damp and mould or leaks.
Would you recommend an apprenticeship with St Leger Homes to a friend?
I would recommend applying for an apprenticeship because it provides you with a skill by practising and earning, and, at St Leger Homes, it provides not only educational and training support, but personal support too.
Regardless of background, age, career...it’s always possible here to learn and develop new skills as an apprentice.
Clair, Kimberley, Maisie and Rachel, who became trades apprentices with us in September 2023.
In September 2023, Clair, Kimberley, Maisie and Rachel began trades apprenticeships with St Leger Homes. Along with over 300 other applicants, all 4 were successful in securing an interview; where they demonstrated that they had a real interest in the trade they had applied for, and were able to prove their knowledge and passion in coming to work for St Leger Homes. It is now nearly six months since they started and all have settled in, are doing well and making great progress.
We asked Maisie what her advice would be, “If there is a trade that you’re interested in, then go for it. Don’t be put off by stereotypes. Apprenticeships at any age are a good way to kickstart the career you want.”
Clair said, “I was concerned that being an older apprentice, that had already had a long career in a very different field, would stand in my way, but St Leger Homes recognised the skills that I already had and my commitment to learning a trade and changing careers.
Age is definitely not a barrier to applying. I am now working towards my plumbing qualification and learning new skills everyday!”
At St Leger Homes, we are looking for people with a genuine interest in their chosen apprenticeship, and who can show us the behaviours and positive attitude needed to succeed. If that is you, why not submit an application for 2024?
Jack Aston, who became a degree apprentice chartered surveyor with us in September 2021.
Jack commenced a chartered surveyor level 6 (degree) apprenticeship training course with St Leger Homes in September 2021. The apprenticeship route gave him the flexibility to mix working with us and studying at University. Jack chose building surveying as his course when he decided that he wanted to follow a career which would see him involved with construction projects from start to finish.
When applying for his apprenticeship, Jack said: “The idea of working on a range of projects, from residential to large scale infrastructure on landmarks, excites and motivates me to do well in this industry, along with the dynamic role of both office and site based working that surveying offers. Furthermore, during my academic years, I found that I had a great interest in these topics and particularly excelled when studying about energy efficiency and different technologies. I have always been intrigued with the design stage of building projects and how architects and other professionals can use different materials to get a desired effect, therefore, by taking the pathway of a surveyor, I would be involved in these stages whilst also being able to get on site and advise other industry professionals on how a building can be best maintained or refurbished.”
Jack typically spends four days a week in the workplace as an apprentice building surveyor within our commercial team, and then attends Sheffield Hallam University on day release. Building a professional career via this route enables Jack to gain a degree whilst developing his technical knowledge, initiative, and interpersonal skills.
Jack has proved himself to be an excellent apprentice, evidenced in recent months by winning Apprentice of the Year at both the 2023 Direct Awards, and also the 2023 Doncaster Chamber Awards.
If you want to kickstart a great career and earn yourself a first class reputation, then our advice is simple: “Be more Jack.”
More information
For more general information about apprenticeships, please visit:
GOV.UK - Apprenticeships
GOV.UK - National Careers Service
If you require further information about apprenticeships at St Leger Homes, please contact the HR & Organisational Development team, email SLHDHRAdmin@stlegerhomes.co.uk or telephone 01302 734714