Cabinet Member for Housing and Anti-poverty Councillor Averil Lekau and Cabinet Member for Transport, Economy and Smart Cities Councillor Sizwe James joined apprentices Victoria and Charlie from the Royal Borough's Asset Management and Repairs Services in helping to carry out major refurbishments, repairs and home improvements to the Royal Borough's housing stock.

Commitment to high quality homes

The innovative 'Back to Floor' event forms part of the Royal Borough of Greenwich's commitment to providing high quality homes with excellent facilities while expanding its award-winning apprenticeship programme run by the Greenwich Local Labour and Business Programme (GLLaB).

There are currently 107 apprentices placed in the Royal Borough of Greenwich with 15 based in the Asset Management and Repairs Services. Apprentices receive placements in a wide range of occupations (from Carpentry to Finance) so that they can find a service area which perfectly matches their skills and abilities.

About 'Back to Floor'

'Back to Floor' is the first of many events leading towards National Apprenticeship Week which runs from 6-10 March 2017 and celebrates the positive impact apprenticeships and traineeships have on individuals, businesses and the economy.

The next few months will see the Royal Borough of Greenwich showcasing GLLaB's achievements to date including partnering with Lovell on 'Women in Construction' recruitment and the placement of 370 local people into apprenticeships - 234 within the Council and 137 through our supply chains.

'Apprentices enthusiasm is truly inspirational'

Councillor Averil Lekau, Cabinet Member for Housing and Anti-Poverty, said: "The enthusiasm of the apprentices I worked with is truly inspirational. I am proud that our Asset Management and Repairs Services offers young people in the borough such hands-on experience, allowing them to build-up their confidence and skill-set.

"I look forward to many more 'Back to Floor' events in the future where I can join officers on the frontline in delivering high quality homes with excellent facilities which our tenants rightly expect and deserve."

'Equipping future generations with life-long skills and experience'

Councillor Sizwe James, Cabinet Member for Transport, Economy and Smart Cities, added: "The expanding Royal Borough of Greenwich apprenticeship programme continues to deliver on multiple fronts - we are equipping future generations with life-long skills and experience to help them gain full employment while also delivering a revitalised and refurbished housing stock for families desperately in need of new homes.

"I look forward to working with more apprentices in the coming months as they continue their journey with the Royal Borough of Greenwich and gain news skills and abilities which will stay with them for the rest of their lives."