Connor Smith, a Wolverhampton Homes plumbing and gas apprentice, won 'Property and Construction Apprentice of the Year' at the Express & Star Apprenticeship Awards on Thursday 3 November 2022.
Connor joined our apprentice scheme in September 2021 after meeting the team at a careers event when he left school. He has shown his commitment to getting the job done and putting our customers at the heart, with several getting in touch to praise Connor's standard of work and customer service skills.
Connor said: “I realised when I was at school that continuing in education alone wasn’t right for me. I knew that I wanted to progress and find a good career, but I really enjoy manual work, problem solving and couldn’t imagine being sat at a desk all week.
“Joining the apprentice programme has been such a positive thing for me. I feel like I’ve found my purpose and I’m excited for the future. Earning and learning has motivated me to do better, and I know that if I put my mind to it, I can create a life close to home that I can be proud of."
Since Connor began his apprenticeship, he has not only established himself as a role model for other apprentices but has worked hard to develop the key skills and knowledge that are required for his Plumbing and Gas Apprenticeship.
Connor's mentor, Neal Butler said: "You can always count on Connor to give it everything he’s got, and he learns quickly. He’s a breath of fresh air and lives our values, always putting customers first."
Shaun Aldis, Chief Executive of Wolverhampton Homes said: “We are so proud of Connor and everything he has achieved since he joined us. He goes over and above to provide a first-class service for our customers and he is a credit to Wolverhampton Homes and to his mentor.
“Our Learning and Organisational Development team have worked in partnership with the City of Wolverhampton Council to develop a strong 18-24 employment offer over recent years. To see Connor recognised as a top apprentice against peers in the region is a fantastic achievement.”
Wolverhampton Homes has recruited new apprentices and management trainees this year, as part of our commitment to the City of Wolverhampton’s drive to reduce youth unemployment and create new opportunities for young people in the city.
Register your interest and be the first to hear about next year's opportunities.