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Apprentices start work

6 February 2012

One hundred young people have started the New Year in new jobs thanks to an apprenticeship programme designed to kick-start careers.

The young people, all aged 16-24, have taken up posts in industries as varied as engineering, photography and catering following a rigorous six month application process through the Merseyside Apprenticeship Programme.

Among those starting 2012 in a new workplace is 19 year old Michael Stapleton from Kirkby. Michael is an Apprentice Toolmaker with AEB Precision, “I was so pleased to get this apprenticeship. I’ve been looking for a job for 15 months and now I’ll be trained up in toolmaking, studying towards an NVQ and earning a good wage too”.

And for the employers who have taken on apprentices, the programme has been a positive experience. “We’ve been involved with the apprentice programme for the last three years and taken on a new apprentice each year,” said Gavin Butterworth from Butterworth Barlow Chartered Accountants. “The quality of candidates is really high and the programme makes it stress-free for us to recruit.”

“Providing an enthusiastic young person with the opportunity to get into work and training is really rewarding for us.”

Cllr Ron Round, Leader of Knowsley Council and Lead for Employment and Skills in the City Region, said: “We hear so much in the news about unemployed young people and how difficult it can be for them to find work, so it is extremely pleasing that this programme has been able to help some of our young people not only find a job, but also get a first foot on the ladder of what could be a long and successful career.

“I would like to send my congratulations to all the successful apprentices, who have worked very hard to be selected and my best wishes for their future careers.

Cllr Nick Small, cabinet Member for Employment and Skills at Liverpool Council, said: “The apprentices who have started work have really earned their positions by consistently demonstrating that they have the necessary enthusiasm, skills and potential to become excellent employees in their chosen professions.

“Feedback from employers has been fantastic, and because of the very thorough process of assessment and interviews they have confidence that the young people they have employed can join their teams and make a valuable contribution to their company even as they learn their new trade.”

The recruitment process for the Merseyside Apprenticeship programme included basic skills assessments, the production of a video CV by each candidate and a face to face interview with potential employers. It is now hoped that the programme will help even more young people find apprenticeship places in the coming year.