Apollo works with Five Lamps to create job opportunities

20th September, 2011

Partnership working between Five Lamps and property services group Apollo has ensured that 3 young people from Stockton are now undertaking work placements.

Aiden Larsen, 17 has been offered a joinery apprenticeship, Andrew Robinson, 20, will shortly start work as an apprentice painter and decorator and Thomas Riley, 21, has been taken on as a plasterer.

Andrew said “I couldn’t believe it I had only been with Five Lamps a couple of days, but Maureen Iveson [Five Lamps’ Intensive Support Worker] worked her socks off to get me this and she made sure I got the tools I needed.”

Having won a contract with Tristar Homes (part of the larger Vela Group) to carry out Decent Homes refurbishment work on properties around Thornaby and Stockton, Apollo began working with Five Lamps to offer employment opportunities and apprenticeships to young people in the area.

To mark the success of the partnership between Five Lamps, Apollo and the Vela Group, the 3 young recruits were invited to meet Apollo’s Divisional Director, Mike Edwards, along with the Chairman and Chief Executive of the Vela group, John McDougal and Cath Purdy.

Mike Sanderson, Apollo’s Site Manager, will be working alongside the new employees. He said: “The staff at Five Lamps are totally committed to helping local people in Thornaby and Stockton find work. After two successful recruiting days we were delighted to offer one full time position and two apprenticeships, all to start in September 2011. Apollo will be looking to further our commitment to Five Lamps in the near future with further recruitment for our project with Tristar Homes.” 

Brenda Turnbull, Five Lamps Employability Team Leader said “It’s been a pleasure working with Apollo. They are a relatively new employer in our area and are really keen to recruit local people and to develop the skills of young people by offering apprenticeships. We are hoping that as the project develops and grows we will be able to continue working in partnership and offer more opportunities to Five Lamps customers.”

The 3 young people came to Five Lamps through ‘Community Task Force’, ‘Work Programme’ and ‘Communities Fund’ for advice and guidance to find out what their options were as they all wanted to get back into work.

Five Lamps run Communities Fund on behalf of Stockton Council to support people who are unemployed.

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