Giving young people the opportunities they deserve knows no bounds here at HPP, which is why we have strengthened our partnership with Oldham College.
One of the first to benefit will be a T-Level student, who will spend an academic year combining their studies with a placement in our marketing department working alongside Marketing Manager Kenika Gumbs.
It's the result of a visit to the college by Kenika and our Marketing & Business Development Director, Dan Mounsey, to discuss future collaborations.
Together with Programme Leader Mike Jackson-Leafield and Lee Harland, Work Experience Manager at the college, we explored ways to support T-Level students through real-world experience, helping to equip the next generation with the skills and confidence they need to thrive in the business world.
A T-Level is a two-year post-GCSE qualification, equivalent to three A-Levels, that combines classroom learning with a practical, work-based industry placement.
Students spend 80% of the course in a classroom environment learning the necessary skills and knowledge, and the remaining 20% (at least 315 hours or 45 days) on an industry placement where they can apply those skills.
Kenika says: "We have so many exciting projects on the horizon and we can't wait to welcome our work placement student.
"We're proud to collaborate with such a forward-thinking institution and look forward to shaping the future together."
The college visit was a full circle moment for Kenika, who studied there for two years, graduating with distinctions in her BTEC Business Level 3 qualification.
She says: "This is where my passion for business began to grow - where ambition met opportunity, and where I learned the value of hard work and perseverance. Seeing my former tutor Danielle Vipond again made the visit even more special."
This is the latest example of our universal approach to encouraging the younger generation into the world of work - which includes help and advice for school leavers, work placements for college students, short term work experience opportunities and providing a supportive workplace for apprentices.
We'll be bringing you more news of our T-Level student when they start their placement.
Meanwhile, we have also been helping workers of an older generation, offering jobs to two jobseekers at the Get Oldham Working Jobs Fair at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, which was attended by Dan Mounsey and our HR Manager, Carole Hamnett-Sadler.
Charlie Lester is now working in our worktops warehouse while Paul Arnold has joined the team in our Avanti Stock Doors department.
Charlie has worked in construction, demolition, warehousing and as a machine operator in the past, while Paul is a former printer who spent several years at John Lewis Cheadle, working in stock management and customer collections.
Good luck to both!
Photo: Oldham College Programme Leader Mike Jackson-Leafield with HPP Marketing Manager Kenika Gumbs and
Marketing & Business Development Director, Dan Mounsey.