UKAR shows commitment to apprenticeship scheme

UKAR, which manages the closed mortgage businesses of Bradford & Bingley and Northern Rock Asset Management, has taken on another 12 apprentices.

The apprentices are working at its sites in Crossflatts, near Bingley and on Wearside in the North East.

UKAR said the apprentices gain experience for 12 months, working in mortgage operations while continuing to study for relevant qualifications.

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It provides each apprentice with a structured programme of training with a view to keeping them at the end of the apprenticeship.

Of the 12 people who started in December last year, nine have already found jobs within the organisation.

The apprenticeship scheme in West Yorkshire is being run in partnership with Shipley College, where the apprentices study for an NVQ in customer services.

On Wearside, the scheme is supported by the North East Chamber of Commerce.

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Recruits in the North East study for an NVQ in business administration while working in the secured and unsecured debt management areas of the mortgage operation.

Sue Bonelle, UKAR’s head of recruitment, said the scheme has been a great success.

“We are delighted with the progress of the apprentices and we have been able to provide jobs for many of them in key areas of the business,” she said.

“There are clear benefits to the company in running this scheme. We bring young, bright and enthusiastic talent into the business and at the same time get the chance to make a real contribution to the communities in which we operate.”

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Tia Peel, 20, from Shipley, works in UKAR’s headquarters at Crossflatts, near Bingley, dealing with customer correspondence and responding to queries.

She said: “It’s a varied and interesting role, no day is ever the same and with the training and support I am getting, I should be in a good position to apply for jobs at the end of the programme.”

Patricia Wilkinson, NECC director of training and skills development, said: “I would like to congratulate the successful apprentices for their hard work and determination and UKAR for its commitment to apprenticeships.

“Apprenticeships are an effective way of developing highly-skilled and motivated employees and provide an opportunity to train your workforce in the exact skills required to help businesses perform to the best of their abilities.

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“I am certain UKAR is reaping the benefits of NECC Apprenticeships.”

UKAR recently appointed an additional 100 personnel to its debt management operation at Doxford International Business Park and continues to recruit suitably experienced people to its collections department.

UKAR has 771,000 customers, of which 231,000 are B&B and 540,000 are NRAM, making it one of the UK’s largest mortgage providers.

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