Representatives from across the organisation gathered to celebrate the completion of the programme for five trainees, all of whom have accepted permanent positions with the Association.

Now in its sixth year, Kingdom’s Trainee Programme was developed as part of Kingdom’s Culture Change Programme with a key objective of developing future leaders. To date, all trainees who have completed the programme since its inception have gained qualifications, benefitted from practical work experience, and have been offered permanent employment.

Bill Banks, Kingdom group chief executive, said: “Kingdom’s Trainee Programme is something I am very proud of and Kingdom’s board have always been very supportive of its development. I am really pleased that all of the trainees have been offered and accepted permanent positions with Kingdom.

“Although the current programme is in its sixth year, appointing trainees is not something new to us. Prior to being group chief executive, I was director of development and property services and I still recall, 18 years ago, recruiting a trainee development officer and a technical services officer trainee. They are no longer with Kingdom but both are now in management roles with other housing associations. While I hope our trainees remain with Kingdom for many years, if they move on to posts with different organisations in the sector, at least we know we have been able to contribute to their career success.”

Andrew Latto, Kingdom’s HR director was instrumental in developing the Trainee Programme.

He added: “One of the great things about our trainee programme is the variety of things it accomplishes. As an organisation, it helps us build a pipeline of talent and aids with our succession planning; it helps balance the age profile of our workforce; it brings in new people with new ideas and ways of thinking and; it brings opportunities to the communities we serve. Best of all though, it provides career pathways for people at different life stages with different needs and has taken every trainee we’ve had to a positive destination.”