An East Midlands based housing association is laying the foundations for better customer service with the help of its top performing apprentices.

Five apprentices from Futures Housing Group, which manages around 10,000 properties across the region, have become professional customer services practitioners. Four of the group earned distinctions after completing a new apprenticeship programme in partnership with Access Training, a further education provider co-owned by Futures.

Melissa Selby, 21, and Callum Loveridge, 19, both from Ripley, are the latest two apprentices from Futures to pass their course with top honours.

Melissa, an ICT apprentice, said: “This has given me the opportunity to learn new skills that will help with my future career. It’s given me more confidence and I’ve met some great people along the way. I’m really proud of passing with a distinction.”

Callum, who works in the customer services team, said: “This allows me to demonstrate commitment and responsibility in managing a project. I’ve gained some valuable experience in completing this that can only help me in the future.”

Suki Jandu, Group Director, Customer Experience and Assets at Futures, said: “Congratulations to all our apprentices recently completing this programme, and on passing at such high standards. We’re proud to be championing customer service as we seek to continuously improve what we do for our customers, our partners and our staff.”

Managing Director of Access Training, Corrina Hembury, said: “We are delighted that the hard work of these apprentices has been recognised and it demonstrates the success of a true partnership approach.

“Access Training works closely with employers like Futures to make sure apprentices develop the right skills and knowledge to support their customers and these fantastic results show how effective that approach is.”

Futures aims to have apprentices make up at least 10 per-cent of its entire workforce at any one time, helping to offer skills and opportunities for future generations.

For more information on apprenticeships with Futures Housing Group click here.