Countrywide said that its focus is on putting people first by recruiting and retaining the best talent. It has placed greater emphasis on bringing in young people starting their career in the property sector by investing significantly in trainee programmes. With plans to recruit more than 200 apprentices in the next year, the scheme is an integral part of Countrywide’s plans to invest in and develop new talent.
The apprenticeship programme will offer talented young people the chance to develop their skills through intermediate and advanced customer service and residential sales apprenticeships.
John Gray, Head of Management Development at Countrywide says: “We’re delighted to be working with learndirect on the roll-out of our new apprenticeship programme. We see quality apprenticeships as a key part of our talent strategy – allowing us to invest in staff and promote from within. Initially, 40 apprentices will be joining this year in locations from Newcastle to Yeovil, and Canterbury to Bolton.
The apprentices will be classed as in learning for the first six months of the programme, developing the skills and knowledge of a front line property advisor, they will then move into an operational role for the remainder of their apprenticeship and will be eligible to earn rewards in line with the rest of the business.
I am confident learndirect has both the capability and reach to achieve a successful, national roll-out of this programme within our retail business and beyond.”
Steve Morris, Sales Director at learndirect, said: “We’re really pleased to be working with Countrywide on developing and delivering its new quality apprenticeship programme. Over the coming months we’ll be helping them to source new people onto apprenticeships and training their staff so they are qualified and have the knowledge and skills needed so they can provide an excellent service to their customers.
Countrywide’s approach of giving their apprentices the chance to gain an understanding of what’s expected of them, before they move into a front-line retail role, is really commendable. It really demonstrates how Countrywide value the integration of apprenticeships.
At learndirect we’re working with more and more businesses who are seeing the benefits of apprenticeships: creating a talent pipeline for the future; bringing new people into the business and providing consistent and high quality training, to name three.”
