Our first placement under the national Kickstart scheme has made a flying start in his role with the finance team.
Tom Whichelo, from Gloucester, has started with the business remotely as a finance assistant following an interview in London and is planning to relocate to Hull once the COVID-19 restrictions are lowered further.
Kickstart is the latest government initiative focused on getting young people into work and helping provide them with the skills needed to forge successful careers.
Ideal Standard is working with the Bathroom Manufacturers Association (BMA) to play a leading role in the scheme for our industry and to partner with other organisations with similar aspirations.
Tom has already been enrolled on a qualification with the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) and is looking forward to furthering his career with the business.
Tom, 22, had previously gone to university to study economics but left after a year because he didn’t like the course or the university.
He said: “I went into sales because I like talking to people but that job was only really to make ends meet. I’ve always wanted a career in finance.
“I saw the Kickstart scheme and I saw all the great opportunities that were available. When I saw Ideal Standard and they were able to offer me something in accounts, it was a great opportunity to go far.”
He added: “I’m new to accounting but I’m really enjoying getting stuck in. The team are really nice and down to earth.
“I’m really grateful to have this opportunity and for the fact that Ideal Standard is investing in young people.”
Tom is expected to be followed by further placements, with other departments looking at how they can support the scheme.
The task team is Adam Holden, Vikki Atkin and John Robinson from Ideal Standard in partnership with Tom Reynolds, Chief Executive of the BMA and Carmen Daley of the Furniture and Interiors Education, Skills and Training Alliance (FIESTA).
Vikki said: “We’re very proud to be supporting the Kickstart scheme and are aligned with the need to support the generation who will inevitably be the talent of our future.
“We give a warm welcome to Tom who has joined us as our very first Kickstart placement holder.”
She added: “Tom has got off to a flying start and is already receiving great feedback from his colleagues.
“I would like to thank colleagues who have supported the onboarding of Tom and also those who have been involved in getting this great scheme up and running.
“We look forward to welcoming more placements into the business over the coming months.”