{"id":1501,"date":"2025-02-13T09:44:54","date_gmt":"2025-02-13T09:44:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.firstport.co.uk\/national-apprenticeship-week-training-the-next-generation-of-property-management-talent\/"},"modified":"2025-02-13T09:44:54","modified_gmt":"2025-02-13T09:44:54","slug":"national-apprenticeship-week-training-the-next-generation-of-property-management-talent","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.firstport.co.uk\/your-firstport-team\/national-apprenticeship-week-training-the-next-generation-of-property-management-talent\/","title":{"rendered":"National Apprenticeship Week: Training the next generation of property management talent"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">As part of National Apprenticeship Week, we\u2019ve been speaking with Maisy, a 19-year-old apprentice at The FirstPort Group. Maisy shares her experience working as an apprentice in property management \u2013 balancing work life and education, whilst also gaining crucial skills and confidence in the workplace.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:300}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Maisy came across an apprenticeship opportunity at FirstPort last year whilst working as a personal trainer. Although she admits she never imagined herself in the property management sector, the role of Property Services Specialist Apprentice caught her attention. She applied, got the role, and quickly found herself enjoying working as an apprentice at FirstPort.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:300}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Balancing work and learning<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:300}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Maisy\u2019s apprenticeship combines practical work experience with structured learning. Each week, she gets six hours to complete her portfolio work, splitting the time as needed to ensure she can work towards her qualification in Business Administration. Additionally, once a month, she attends an apprenticeship training centre, which is conveniently located just a two-minute walk from her office.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:300}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">At FirstPort\u2019s Birmingham office, Maisy is part of <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">a team of 6\u00a0ap<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">prentices. \u201cWe all help each other, and we\u2019ve got a really supportive environment\u201d, she says.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:300}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Learning about property management\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:300}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Before joining FirstPort, Maisy didn\u2019t know much about property management. She said: \u201cI always had an interest in property, but I never really knew what a property manager did. There\u2019s so much more to it than you think.\u201d The apprenticeship has given Maisy an opportunity to learn more about the complexities of the industry whilst growing her skills and knowledge.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:300}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Her confidence has also grown as a result. Maisy explains: \u201cIt was really difficult at first because property management is complicated and having the confidence to explain things clearly was daunting. But as I learn more and continue in the job, I am more confident on the phone and speaking directly to customers than I ever have been before.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:300}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Maisy says she has gained valuable experience in teamwork, independence, and problem-solving. \u201cBefore working here, I had never worked in a team, but now I see how important it is. Our team is really close-knit, and our manager is amazing. We all support each other.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:300}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">A career in property management\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:300}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Maisy\u2019s apprenticeship lasts 18 months, with an endpoint assessment after 12 months. FirstPort provides clear career pathways, and Maisy is excited about the potential to move into different areas of the business. She explains: \u201cThere\u2019s a career plan in place for apprentices, which means there are plenty of opportunities to grow.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:300}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cOnce we\u2019ve completed the qualification, we also have the basics to branch off into various roles. The training is really accessible, and if you want to progress, the opportunities are there. It\u2019s a great start to a career. Even though it is difficult at first because there\u2019s so much to learn, once you find your routine, it becomes straightforward.\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:300}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Property Services Specialist <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">apprenticeship is provided in partnership with <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.protocolgroup.org.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Protocol Consultancy Services<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, which works with businesses to offer training programmes to apprentices, supporting learners with skills growth and education whilst they earn a wage. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:300}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Emma Whitehouse, Senior Head of HR at FirstPort, explains that apprenticeships are essential for developing the next generation of talent in the property industry, adding: \u201cApprenticeships provide a unique opportunity for people to gain hands-on experience while building essential skills that will serve them throughout their careers. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:300}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cIt&#8217;s important to us that we offer structured training and career progression pathways so apprentices like Maisy are equipped with the knowledge to thrive in a dynamic and rewarding industry.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:300}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Advice for future apprentices<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:300}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">For anyone considering an apprenticeship at FirstPort, Maisy encourages them to give it a try. \u201cApprenticeships work for so many different types of people. My colleagues and I all have completely different backgrounds and lifestyles, but it just works for us.\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:300}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Maisy believes apprenticeships offer a perfect alternative to traditional education. She explains: \u201cI didn\u2019t want to go to university. I\u2019d rather be learning, earning money, and gaining work experience at the same time. And if you find that the job isn\u2019t for you, you can always move on. But at least you\u2019ll have gained valuable experience along the way.\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:300}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">If you are inspired by Maisy\u2019s story and would like to explore a career at FirstPort, head over to the\u202f<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/careers.emeria-uk.com\/functions\/firstport\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">FirstPort careers page<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u202for contact: <\/span><a href=\"mailto:careers@firstport.co.uk\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">careers@firstport.co.uk<\/span><\/a> <span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:300}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As part of National Apprenticeship Week, we\u2019ve been speaking with Maisy, a 19-year-old apprentice at The FirstPort Group. Maisy shares her experience working as an apprentice in property management \u2013 balancing work life and education, whilst also gaining crucial skills and confidence in the workplace.\u00a0 Maisy came across an apprenticeship opportunity at FirstPort last year [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1186,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[32],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1501","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-your-firstport-team"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.firstport.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1501","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.firstport.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.firstport.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.firstport.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.firstport.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1501"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.firstport.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1501\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.firstport.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1186"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.firstport.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1501"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.firstport.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1501"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.firstport.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1501"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}