Gentoo welcomes 25 new apprentices

Sunderland-based Gentoo Group has invested £250,000 into its future workforce as after welcoming 25 new apprentices following a successful open day, which was attended by over 500 candidates.

The intake prioritised applications from customers and young people leaving care, reflecting Gentoo’s commitment to placing communities at the heart of its operations. 

Apprenticeships cover trade roles in electrical, gas, plumbing and joinery, as well as housing, business administration, project management and fire and building safety roles.

New apprentices spent their first week familiarising themselves with the organisation and colleagues, taking part in Gentoo’s apprentice celebration event at Nissan Sports and Social Club.

Alice Cammock, who has just started her people support apprentice, said: “I am really looking forward to learning more in my role in the people support team. 

“When I first left school, I went down the route of university, but I wasn’t enjoying it, so when this opportunity came up, I jumped at it.

“Everyone has been really helpful and friendly so far and I am looking forward to this new challenge.”

Likewise, Evan Waistle, a fire and building safety apprentice, added: “I have really enjoyed my first week at Gentoo. 

“It’s been great meeting my team and the wider business. 

“I applied for the apprenticeship at Gentoo as I really wanted to be part of an organisation who care about their customers and colleagues.”

Since 2001, Gentoo has created 378 apprenticeship opportunities and continues to open applications each spring for anyone over the age of 16, helping people kickstart careers in social housing and beyond.

Sam England, director of people at Gentoo, said: “I am delighted to welcome our new apprentices to Gentoo. 

“As part of our wider corporate strategy, we are committed to creating positive opportunities for our customers and within this year’s recruitment, 50 per cent of the 2025 apprentice intake were Gentoo customers.

“Our apprentices are the future of Gentoo and I am really looking forward to seeing each and every one of them thrive in their new roles.

“We now have a total of 73 apprentices across the organisation, which is a fantastic achievement and a reflection of the success of our apprenticeship programme. 

“At Gentoo, we believe apprentices are extremely important talent, and we would actively encourage any organisation to take this approach to developing talent for the future.”

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