Housing service apprentice recognised for digital innovation
A Gateshead Council apprentice has been recognised for his outstanding contribution to digital improvement and professional development.
Martin Ojuroye, a Senior ICT Development Officer working within our housing service, received a top honour at the annual Apprentice Edge Awards hosted by Gateshead College. The awards recognise apprentices who demonstrate exceptional progress, workplace impact and leadership potential.
Martin is completing a Level 4 Software Engineering apprenticeship while continuing his role developing and supporting digital systems used across our housing service.
His work focuses on improving the technology that helps staff manage tenancies, support residents and deliver efficient housing services.
As part of his apprenticeship, Martin designed a project exploring how technology could improve the mutual exchange process — helping council tenants swap homes when their circumstances change.
The project examined how new software tools could replace manual spreadsheets, streamline case management, and improve reporting in this regulated service area. The work has now progressed beyond coursework and is being piloted within the housing team.
Martin's achievement comes as we highlight the importance of apprenticeships in building skills and strengthening frontline services following the recent National Apprenticeship Week, which promotes the value of work-based learning across the UK.
Councillor Chris Buckley, Cabinet Member for Housing, said:
"Apprenticeships play a vital role in helping us develop the skilled workforce we need to deliver high-quality housing services for our residents.
"Martin's success shows how apprenticeships are not only for people starting their careers, but also for existing staff who want to build new skills and help improve services. His work demonstrates the real difference that investment in learning and digital innovation can make for our housing teams and the people we serve."
Martin joined the council in 2011 after university, starting in the housing lettings team. His frontline experience supporting tenants helped shape his later move into IT, where he now helps develop customer-facing digital systems used across housing services.
In 2023, he enrolled on the apprenticeship with Gateshead College to formalise and expand the technical skills he had developed through hands-on work.
"I saw an intranet article about apprenticeships and realised they could help formalise the IT skills I'd gained on the job. I'd never really considered apprenticeships before — I thought they were just for school leavers. But that couldn't be further from the truth.
"The programme strengthened my knowledge, boosted my confidence and showed that apprenticeships are open to people from a wide range of backgrounds and career stages."
We continue to invest in apprenticeships across multiple services, including housing, digital, environmental services and social care, helping develop local talent while improving essential public services.
Martin's award highlights how apprenticeships within the housing service can directly support innovation, strengthen teams and improve outcomes for residents.
To review council apprenticeship opportunities when available, please visit www.gateshead.gov.uk/apprenticeships.
A Gateshead Council apprentice has been recognised for his outstanding contribution to digital improvement and professional development.
Martin Ojuroye, a Senior ICT Development Officer working within our housing service, received a top honour at the annual Apprentice Edge Awards hosted by Gateshead College. The awards recognise apprentices who demonstrate exceptional progress, workplace impact and leadership potential.
Martin is completing a Level 4 Software Engineering apprenticeship while continuing his role developing and supporting digital systems used across our housing service.
His work focuses on improving the technology that helps staff manage tenancies, support residents and deliver efficient housing services.
As part of his apprenticeship, Martin designed a project exploring how technology could improve the mutual exchange process — helping council tenants swap homes when their circumstances change.
The project examined how new software tools could replace manual spreadsheets, streamline case management, and improve reporting in this regulated service area. The work has now progressed beyond coursework and is being piloted within the housing team.
Martin's achievement comes as we highlight the importance of apprenticeships in building skills and strengthening frontline services following the recent National Apprenticeship Week, which promotes the value of work-based learning across the UK.
Councillor Chris Buckley, Cabinet Member for Housing, said:
"Apprenticeships play a vital role in helping us develop the skilled workforce we need to deliver high-quality housing services for our residents.
"Martin's success shows how apprenticeships are not only for people starting their careers, but also for existing staff who want to build new skills and help improve services. His work demonstrates the real difference that investment in learning and digital innovation can make for our housing teams and the people we serve."
Martin joined the council in 2011 after university, starting in the housing lettings team. His frontline experience supporting tenants helped shape his later move into IT, where he now helps develop customer-facing digital systems used across housing services.
In 2023, he enrolled on the apprenticeship with Gateshead College to formalise and expand the technical skills he had developed through hands-on work.
"I saw an intranet article about apprenticeships and realised they could help formalise the IT skills I'd gained on the job. I'd never really considered apprenticeships before — I thought they were just for school leavers. But that couldn't be further from the truth.
"The programme strengthened my knowledge, boosted my confidence and showed that apprenticeships are open to people from a wide range of backgrounds and career stages."
We continue to invest in apprenticeships across multiple services, including housing, digital, environmental services and social care, helping develop local talent while improving essential public services.
Martin's award highlights how apprenticeships within the housing service can directly support innovation, strengthen teams and improve outcomes for residents.
To review council apprenticeship opportunities when available, please visit www.gateshead.gov.uk/apprenticeships.
