Aster Group helps Hampshire and Wiltshire apprentices kickstart their careers

Award winning housing association, Aster Group, has recently recruited new plumbing apprentices, helping to kickstart their careers in the industry.

Following its recent apprenticeship assessment day held at Salisbury Rugby Football Club, Oliver Webb, from Trowbridge was successful in joining the company’s Wiltshire Response Maintenance team as a plumbing apprentice. Finn Belbin, from Andover and Rory Packwood, from Salisbury, were also successful and will be joining the company’s Hampshire Planned Maintenance team as plumbing apprentices.

After applying for the role, Oliver, Finn and Rory joined 13 other candidates at the assessment day where they found out more about the apprenticeships available, took part in activities and team exercises and had the chance to speak with current and newly qualified apprentices.

Oliver, Finn and Rory were three of six candidates interviewed and successfully joined the business at the beginning of September to officially start their journey to becoming a fully qualified plumber. OIiver said: “When I found out I got the apprenticeship I was so happy and proud as I really respect what they do. “I am excited to join such a forward-thinking, fast-moving company and I can't wait to further my skills and grow as a person. The team are also so lovely, supportive and welcoming so it already feels great to be a member of the team.”

Rory said: “I wanted to start an apprenticeship with Aster because when I read more about the opportunities and company values on the website, I really felt like it would be a great place to learn and develop my career.

“When I found out I had been successful I was very happy. I’m looking forward to working towards my qualification to enable me to become more independent and manage my own jobs.”

Finn added: “I’ve always had an interest in plumbing and recognised that I didn’t want to further my education at university, so I felt like learning a trade was a good idea. I’m looking forward to learning and developing my plumbing skills whilst earning a wage.”

Rachel Credidio, Aster Group chief transformation officer, said: “We’re wholly committed to supporting the next generation of talent. Apprenticeships offer a fantastic opportunity to do just that. Not only do apprentices get to learn the skills necessary whilst on the job but they also get paid for the work in the process.

“Our apprenticeship programme enables people of all ages to learn and gain experience in a variety of roles across Aster each year.” From 2015 to 2022 Aster has supported 77 apprentices in completing their training and becoming fully qualified in a variety of roles from plumbing and carpentry to housing and finance. Many of these apprentices have gone on to progress their careers within the company.