Local housing association DCH has embarked on an ambitious apprenticeship recruitment drive, and will be paying some of the highest apprentice salaries in the UK, starting at £10,000 for a Level 2.

DCH have partnered with Cornwall College with the new DCH customer service centre now based on the college’s Camborne Campus. Suzanne Hourahine, DCH career development adviser, said: “We recognise the huge benefits apprentices bring to any organisation, as well as the need to support local communities and the UK economy with enhanced employment prospects.

"At the same time as offering work placements to students to enhance their studies and employability prospects, Cornwall College is supporting us with our future workforce planning and being our local training provider of choice for their trade and customer service apprenticeships.”

Since last September, DCH has welcomed 11 apprentices across the business in positions ranging from IT, finance, trades, sales, lettings and business systems. There are further plans for apprenticeships in surveying, housing and business administration.

Sally Foard, group director of development at Cornwall College, said: “The college is delighted to be working more closely with such a well-respected employer and is looking forward to supporting their training needs with these exciting new opportunities, the first being two Level 2 customer service apprenticeships based in Pool.

“I am really excited to be introducing these two new apprenticeships to DCH. With a potential salary of £18,600 within 12 to 24 months, these really are not to be missed.”

Anyone over 16 can apply for the new apprenticeships. Suzanne added: “We are particularly interested in those who may be looking for a career change, have been made redundant and looking for that door back into employment, mature applicants hungry for a new challenge or younger candidates stepping into the world of work for the first time. If you’re happy, enthusiastic, committed and customer focused, we’d like to hear from you.”

All DCH opportunities are advertised on the National Apprenticeship Service site, and can be on its website dchgroup.com/working-for-us/. For further information and an informal chat about the apprenticeships and applying contact Suzanne on 01752 856014 or email Suzanne.hourahine@dchgroup.com.