Aster Group helps save young apprentice’s carpentry dream

Award-winning local housing association Aster Group has stepped in to help a young apprentice from Wiltshire to continue following his dream of becoming a carpenter.  

Kian Warwick from Poulshot in Wiltshire was unable to complete his apprenticeship with his previous employer and thought his career dreams were over. However, Aster stepped in, offering the 17-year-old an opportunity to complete his Level 2 apprenticeship in Carpentry and Joinery with the Group’s Voids’ team, which prepares homes that have become available for new customers.

Commenting on what the opportunity means to him, Kian, said: “Aster helped me massively by offering me a position on the Wiltshire Voids’ team. This allowed me to continue my college year without interruption. Without their help, I might have lost all the progress I had made in my work and my apprenticeship.”

Since joining Aster, Kian has been honing his carpentry skills, including replacing internal doors, bannisters, handrails, bath panels and kitchen components. He’s fitted skirting and architrave, boxing and replacing floorboards. To help Kian on his way, long-term Aster partners, Jewson Partnership Solutions donated him a multi-tool.

The apprenticeship programme has seen Kian go from strength to strength. David Stevens, Team Leader, Voids, is full of praise, and said: "Since Kian has joined the team, he has shown himself to be a hard worker with a good aptitude for carpentry. He has integrated well and is respected by all and has also brought a youthful enthusiasm and attitude to the team."

Jess Scull, Aster’s Apprenticeships Partner, who has been supporting Kian in his journey, said: “We are so pleased we were able to support Kian with his apprenticeship. Many industries are facing a shortage of skilled workers and we recognise that by supporting and training apprentices in house, we can help bridge these gaps ensuring there is a pipeline of talent with the necessary expertise and experience, who hopefully go on to secure employment in social housing once they qualify.

“Jewson Partnership Solutions have been a regular supporter of Aster apprentices over the last couple of years and have once again come forward and showed their support, enabling Kian to have tools he can call his own.”

To find out more about apprenticeship opportunities at Aster, head to: www.aster.co.uk/careers/apprenticeships.