Penny Post Credit Union ‘Highly Commended’ for developing its young team

Monday 15 January 2024

Penny Post Credit Union has been ‘Highly Commended’ at the Regional Apprenticeship Awards 2020. Now in their 17th year, the Awards showcase the diverse and growing range of sectors engaged with apprenticeships. Penny Post Credit Union was also shortlisted finalist in the SME Employer of the Year category for the West Midland region.

Four years ago, the Penny Post Credit Union Board recognised that although a successful credit union, the team was of a ‘certain age’, and investment in a younger team was essential to build on its achievements and secure the future of the business.

Its first 2 apprentices, Jaspreet Kaur and Hannah Copson, were recruited in 2017 as part of a succession plan to bring in new ideas, take on senior roles over time, and drive the business forward. Lewis Price joined as an Apprentice in 2018, and Penny Post’s current apprentice, Tanya Aspbury joined in August 2019.

Penny Post continued: “We’re proud to invest time and money in these young people, including mentoring, training, development opportunities locally and nationally, and bespoke Personal Development Plans.

“Apprentices have brought a pleasing vibrancy to Penny Post and helped us think ‘younger’. Their enthusiasm, outlook, hard work and positivity are key to Penny Post’s success in recent years and will be an important part of our future.

“They have also contributed to raising Penny Post’s profile, regionally and nationally. Jas was shortlisted for Apprentice of the Year 2019 in the Black Country Chamber Awards, and won the national Tracy Slane Award 2020 at the ABCUL Annual Conference, awarded to a young person who has made an outstanding contribution to their credit union and/or to the wider movement.

“Hannah, meanwhile, not only graduated from the CU Futures programme in March this year, but was part of the team who won the Team Project Challenge, which included a presentation to a professional panel including broadcaster, journalist and writer, Liz Barclay.

“The current pandemic has made things difficult for everyone this year, but this didn’t stop Lewis being selected for the 2020 CU Futures programme. Tanya meanwhile, has coped with remote working and remote learning, as she continues her Apprenticeship training from home.

“We are so proud of Jas, Hannah, Lewis and Tanya and their contributions to Penny Post, so being selected as a regionalist finalist for the National Apprenticeship Awards really is the icing on the cake!”

Also announced this month, Penny Post are finalist in the ‘Small Business of the Year’ category at the Black Country Chamber Business Awards 2020.

The Award recognises and celebrates the contribution businesses have made to support their community and demonstrated resilience in the face of new pressures, demands or challenges as a result of the COVID-19 emergency.

“We’re thrilled to be nominated as a finalist, it’s a great achievement” said Penny Post CEO, Matt Goulding. “Thanks to teamwork, enthusiasm and sheer determination we have delivered uninterrupted services to members across the UK. Not one minute of opening time has been lost.

From the many kind words, comments and messages of support from members, we know we have made a positive contribution to our community during these difficult times.”