A social housing provider based in Burton upon Trent is playing a key role in developing future talent and addressing the growing skills gap in the housing sector.
Trent & Dove has welcomed four new apprentices as part of its ongoing commitment to helping young people thrive in the workplace. The new recruits — Owen Satchwell, Ethan Samrai, Joe Grummett and Freya Harvey, all from Derbyshire — are working towards a Level 3 qualification in Business Administration in partnership with Burton and South Derbyshire College.
Through this apprenticeship programme, the young professionals will gain hands-on experience across various departments, developing essential skills in real working environments. They are also receiving guidance and support from four current Trent & Dove apprentices who are already applying their newly acquired skills in different areas of the organisation.
The initiative comes at a time when the housing sector is facing significant challenges in attracting and training a skilled workforce. This issue was brought into focus during the recent Housing Community Summit, a national event hosted by the National Housing Federation and the Chartered Institute of Housing. The summit gathered housing professionals and stakeholders to explore solutions for building a more resilient and future-ready workforce.
Trent & Dove Chief Executive Ursula Bennion welcomed the new apprentices and highlighted the importance of investing in the next generation. She said,
We are delighted to welcome our new apprentices and to invest in their futures by equipping them with the essential skills needed to succeed in the workplace. With the housing sector facing a growing skills gap, initiatives such as this are crucial in developing the next generation of skilled professionals. At Trent & Dove, we are committed to going beyond expectations to transform lives, homes, and communities. We believe everyone deserves the opportunity to enjoy life, to succeed, and to be treated with respect. Whether on the road, working from home, or in the office, what unites us is a shared commitment to building a better future for all.
With the support of experienced colleagues, the new apprentices will develop key workplace skills such as problem-solving, planning, communication, teamwork and confidence in using IT systems. By the end of their apprenticeships, they will be well equipped to step into permanent roles, support existing teams or even shape new ones, contributing to the future success of the housing sector.
Meet our apprentices
Ethan Samrai
18-year-old Ethan joins us from Derby. He has worked in customer-facing roles as Customer Advisor at B&Q and Retail Associate at TK Maxx. He brings a wealth of experience in the customer journey and hopes his time with Trent & Dove will complement that. He said: “I was looking for apprenticeships as I wanted to grow my knowledge, while earning and becoming qualified. This seems like the perfect role and opportunity.
“The Business Administration Apprenticeship appealed to me because it intrigues me and is something I am passionate about.
“I love meeting new people and having that job security. This will be excellent hands-on experience, and I am looking forward to getting involved.”
Freya Harvey
Freya started her journey at her local restaurant, starting behind the scenes in the kitchen and working her way up to waitressing at the front of house. After gaining three A-Levels at sixth form, Freya worked at a tea room in her hometown of Swadlincote. Now aged 19, Freya is looking forward to working for Trent & Dove because she views this as an amazing opportunity. Living in social housing is something Freya is accustomed to. She said: “Throughout my journey with Trent & Dove, I hope to break the stereotypes of families living in social housing. I know its importance, and I probably wouldn’t be where I am today without it.” During her spare time. She loves to visit her favourite gallery, The National Gallery in London, whilst also spending time with her family and her partner as a newly engaged couple.
Joe Grummett
At 22-years-old, Joe, from Swadlincote, has already built up strong interpersonal skills within the telesales industry. Showing a caring side, Joe has also spent the last 16 months as a volunteer at the PDSA. Joe wants to develop his workplace skillset through an apprenticeship, while gaining qualifications to provide him with everything he needs for a great career. He said: “I wanted to build up my skills, but university didn’t appeal to me. I wanted hands-on experience, and an apprenticeship is a great way to start on this path. “It is a great opportunity to prove yourself and try something else. “Trent & Dove is very inclusive in the community and cares about its customers. I love that it makes such a big difference to people’s lives.” Joe will be found within the Lettings team at first, before moving between departments and gaining a broader understanding of all the working parts of Trent & Dove.
Owen Satchwell
Aged 18, Owen hails from Swadlincote, completing A-levels in economics, business studies and maths.
Owen wants to transfer his business knowledge into real-life skills within the housing industry. He is currently a pub barman, and due to his knowledge, friendly attitude, and work ethic, he is often tasked with training new recruits. At Trent & Dove, Owen can be found within the IT & Digital Transformation Team, building up his technical knowledge and will be supporting the team with their projects. He said: “I wanted to apply myself to a growing industry. I know there is a lot of pressure in social housing, and I know this is a great place to build up skills within the real world and gain life experience.” Of Trent & Dove, he says: “This is a well-structured organisation, very organised, and everyone is friendly. I am looking forward to getting stuck in.”
