Ethos Public Relations Manchester

Apprenticeship success for young people in Greater Manchester

by Ethos public relations

Next week (6th–10th February) is National Apprenticeship Week and with the number of young people not in employment or training (NEETs) at an all time high, apprenticeship programmes could help tackle the problem.

Contour Homes, part of the Symphony Housing Group, introduced its own apprenticeship programme in 2008 and says the scheme has worked well. Gaynor Leary from the company said:

“The Business Administration Apprenticeship Programme at our Salford Head Office is now in its fourth year. The apprenticeship programme allows us to deploy our apprentices where the business needs them most, giving us the flexibility to meet changing demands.

“It provides apprentices the opportunity to develop a wide range of skills and gain work experience in various departments.

“Participation in the scheme has provided us the opportunity to develop individuals, giving them the skills they need to be successful in their future career choices, whether they choose to remain with Symphony Housing Group or look for opportunities elsewhere.”

Hannah Smith, Wes Cunningham and Kate Garner completed their apprenticeships in October 2011, and have all been given a full time job with the company.

Wes, 21, studied IT at college after leaving school but found it hard to get a job because he lacked real work experience. He recently completed his third year in the Group’s IT department.

“My apprenticeship helped me a great deal, as I not only learned the trade but also got that all important work experience,” he said. “My college course helped with the specifics of the job and I was able to apply the theory to the real world.”

Hannah, 19, has been employed as a receptionist. “When I left college I had good enough grades to go on to university,” she said. “But I just didn’t want to do more years of study with no guarantee of a job at the end of it. I knew that work experience would open more doors for me and I’m glad I made this decision.

“Many of my friends are in higher education but are building up debt. By the time they leave university, my career will have progressed even further – and I won’t have a student loan to pay off.”

Kate also 19, is now a Trainee Leasehold Administrator. Kate started her apprenticeship straight out of school at 16 and said: “I would highly recommend an apprenticeship. I have learned so much about people and business in these three years and it has paid off. I have a great career ahead of me.”

There are over 200 different types of Apprenticeship frameworks, covering more than 1,200 different job roles in a range of industry sectors, from engineering to boat building, veterinary nursing to accountancy but all three young people believe that more companies should offer apprenticeships.

Alice Bennett from Symphony Housing Group added: “We are delighted that through our apprenticeship scheme we have been able to offer three young people full time employment.

"Statistics show that employees who come through this type of scheme are good for business thanks to their knowledge of the company and loyalty. I would encourage more businesses to get involved. It is hard work but it does pay off.”

For more information about apprenticeships go to www.apprenticeships.org.uk. Vacancies are advertised online and you can choose from over 190 types of apprenticeships.

Click here to read more press releases for Contour Homes from Ethos public relations.

Posted at 3^rd February 2012