Gentoo – The HUB Programme

The HUB Supported Apprenticeship programme was developed in June 2009 as part of Sunderland’s Strategic Partnership’s NEET Action Plan with the aim of increasing the number of young people able to access formal apprenticeships. 

It gives young people access to intense support in a number of ways through a partnership approach.  A group comprising Gentoo, Connexions, the Local Authority and Springboard (Learning Provider) put together the programme content and submitted a bid in response to the Working Neighbourhoods Strategy to access funding to deliver the programme.

Gentoo wanted to create an environment where young people were supported to learn and achieve sustainable employment.  Gentoo committed to recruiting ten Supported Apprentices, all are children of Gentoo customers from deprived neighbourhoods. Core components:

• Employability and key skills training  for six weeks
• A forty six week apprenticeship
• NVQ level 2 qualification
• Intensive mentoring support
• Youth at Risk Choices programme coaching
• Hays career progression programme
• Internal training specific to needs
• Transfer to traineeship (employed status) at the end of the apprenticeship
• Opportunity to apply for internal vacancies at Gentoo

The programme sits squarely with the aims of Gentoo Living which are to enable people to fulfil their ambitions and to enable successful neighbourhoods and communities.

The impact has been phenomenal in terms of the transition the young people have gone through.  Gentoo measured impact over five areas: self discipline, confidence, commitment, self awareness and social awareness.

• Identify the right mentor for the young person
• Continuous support – communicate at an adult level
• Give  responsibility and praise when appropriate
• Have infinite patience
• Avoid judging young people by learnt perceptions  
• Consider how their past has shaped what they are now
• Keep them driven and motivated by raising awareness of the benefits of work
• Celebrate success