Businesses across North Staffordshire are being urged to consider taking on an apprentice from one of the area’s leading training providers during National Apprenticeship Week.
Newcastle-under-Lyme College (NULC) currently provides apprenticeships in more than a dozen areas including Accounting, Business and Administration, Construction, Childcare, Electrical Installation, Engineering, Hairdressing, Health and Social Care, Retail and IT.
Last year the College reported a record increase in the number of people taking up an apprenticeship, resulting in a need for more employers to offer apprentice roles within their organisations.
Kerry Bonfiglio-Bains, Managing Director of Newcastle-based recruitment agency Appointments Personnel, is one of more than 400 local employers who have employed an apprentice through the College.
Kerry said: “I contacted various education and training providers regarding hiring an apprentice but I found NULC to be the most professional, efficient and thorough. They provided an outstanding service.
She continued: “I’d urge all local employers to consider hiring an apprentice, regardless of what sector they’re in. All the apprentices I have come in to contact with at NULC have been professional, dedicated and eager to learn.”
She added: “I was so impressed that I now regularly work with the College to provide talks and workshops to young people interested in business.”
Kerry’s apprentice is Max Powell, aged 18 from Max said: “When I first left school I wanted to study A Levels, but I soon decided that I wanted to be in a position where I could learn on the job.
“I completed the Network to Work course at NULC before starting the apprenticeship, which taught me valuable skills like interview training, networking and CV writing. It really helped my confidence and the workshops gave me a very useful insight into the business sector.”
He continued: “I thoroughly enjoy being apprentice; I get to earn money whilst I’m learning in a real workplace environment. The College and my employer Kerry have been really supportive and I’ve learnt so much about the business environment already. In the future I hope to be running my own business just like Kerry.”
Vicky Boulton-Clarke, Head of Employer Training at NULC said: “I’d urge any businesses who are interested in recruiting an apprentice or who want to train an existing employee through the apprenticeship scheme to get in touch with the College’s apprenticeships team.”
