If you're thinking of applying for one of our vacancies then hopefully the information below will help to give you a flavour of why you're making a great decision!
We're a values-based housing association driven by our social purpose. We have nearly 600 colleagues working across Cheshire and Merseyside who are all focused on providing an excellent service for our customers. In total we provide homes for over 30,000 people across the region.
We value diversity and inclusion and encourage applications from all. Our values, culture and services for customers are shaped and strengthened by the diversity of our colleagues’ experiences.
The vision of our People Strategy is that each and every one of our colleagues can say:
“I am proud to work for an inclusive and effectively-led organisation that values me and my wellbeing, and where the work I do makes a difference”
We strive to create a great environment for you to work in, which includes offering all the important things such as:
But we also recognise how important life outside of work is too. This is why we are committed to agile working and supporting colleagues to maintain a good work/life balance, so that you don’t miss out on what matters.
As an organisation we have been working together with colleagues over the past three years to develop our wellbeing offer.
We provide a wide range of support, including free access to a Medicash membership from day one of employment, 24-hour access to an employee assistance programme for you and your immediate family, access to physiotherapy, counselling sessions, free eye tests, health awareness sessions and our cycle to work scheme.
We're proud to hold an accreditation from the Workplace Wellbeing Charter and our wellbeing offer is actively supported by wellbeing champions and mental health first aiders from right across the organisation.
One of our four organisational values ‘Learn and Grow’ and so we’re committed to supporting our colleagues’ learning and development at each stage of their career.
We offer a full range of learning opportunities including:
Learning isn’t all about going on a course though. At Plus Dane we understand how our everyday roles can be a powerful source of learning and development. Colleagues may want to explore coaching, mentoring, work-shadowing or something else; we’ll provide all of the support we can to enable you to achieve your potential.
The annual Professional Development Review (PDR) offers colleagues dedicated time to discuss learning needs, both to deliver their current role and to fulfil their future aspirations.
Why did you apply for the Apprenticeship Scheme?
I was actually looking for an apprenticeship for my daughter when I read an advertisement for the apprenticeship with Plus Dane. I read the description and I thought it might be the right thing for me to do next. Back in Poland I worked in an office for many years. When I moved to Liverpool whenever I applied for an office job, obviously I was surpassed by people who had work experience in England. So I thought that this apprenticeship can be an amazing opportunity for me: I would get real life work experience, Level 3 Diploma in Business Administration and be paid at the same time (I have two dependent children).
What are your goals for the next year/remainder of your apprenticeship?
Certainly, I need to do a project for my diploma and pass final exams. Personally I would like to learn as many practical skills as I can and definitely learn more about governance.
What have you enjoyed the most?
I have enjoyed two things most: 1. Working with exceptional people. My team has been extremely helpful and patient. They didn’t mind repeating the same thing for me if I was not sure if I understood everything. In my work I contact people from other departments and I can honestly say that everyone has been very supportive. 2. Doing what I enjoy that is administrative jobs which require working with details and documents.
What would you say to someone thinking about applying for an apprenticeship with Plus Dane?
Go for it! If an apprenticeship is going to get you closer to your dream job, don’t hesitate. You will be supported by great people here in Plus Dane. Don’t let negative thoughts to stop you.
What has your development journey been like with Plus Dane?
Amazing. I joined Plus Dane in 2007 from another housing association as a Neighbourhood Advisor, I loved the role, and I loved working with our customers. I learnt a lot during my time in this post, but my dream was always to work in a HR role. When a vacancy came up as an administrator in the HR team, I jumped at the opportunity to apply and after interviews; I was offered the role in 2008.
Over the last 12 years, I have slowly worked my way up holding roles of administrator, assistant, coordinator and now advisor.
I have worked hard in the background and have taken every learning opportunity that came my way inside and outside of work. Some free, but some supported and paid for by the business, like my CIPD Level 5, my Insights practitioner qualification and my Mental Health First Aider training.
I am now working in the role I always dreamed of, helping others in the business achieve their potential.
Tell us a bit about where you work?
I am based in Merseyside from our Atlantic Pavilion office. Wow, what a place, it is beautiful and I find it so calm and relaxed, I love this space. However, I'm also able to choose to work from home when I need to; I find it easier when designing training to just get my head down in my living room. With my insights preference for sunshine yellow energy I can be a little chaotic when I work, so it’s nice to have different spaces for different things.
How do you feel Plus Dane represents our values?
I have learnt so much in my time at Plus Dane and have been actively encouraged by managers to pursue qualifications (CIPD Level 5) that I thought I could not do with 3 young children at home. I could do it, and I did do it, but not without support from Plus Dane. I'm not only talking about financial support, but also in the form of mentors. I have grown up in Plus Dane and I know colleagues from all around the business, I see lots of examples of teams and colleagues working together to achieve for our customers on a daily basis.
