Employers sign up to Ladder For Shropshire
Employers have signed up in numbers to the Ladder For Shropshire campaign, in the hope of building up the skilled workforce for the future.
At present, more than 20 businesses around the county have joined up with the Ladder, and are in the process of bringing through a new starter to help develop their business.
The race to the tape has been won by one of Shropshire's well-known tourist attractions.
Wroxeter Roman Vineyard became the first Shropshire business to take on an apprentice through the Ladder when it appointed Stacey Jones as a customer service representative.
"We needed some fresh blood in," said Wroxeter director Amanda Millington.
"We have had a fantastic couple of years of growing, which means there's more wine, and more work.
"It was limiting to us that we didn't have enough staff to help with the tours – now we can go full-steam ahead."
She added: "My side of the business is selling the wine, looking after the shop, seeing the customers when they come in, and to do the tours. Our weekends are booked up until September now.
"Stacey will be our customer service representative, and if she wants to she can be with us for the long-term."
The business administration apprenticeship is one of a wide range that are currently being offered through the Shropshire Star-backed programme.
"With more school leavers beginning to make decisions about their future we hope that this will be the first of many apprentices to be placed with companies throughout Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin," said Jamie Pugh, marketing and development officer for the Ladder for Shropshire.
"An Apprenticeship is a great opportunity for any young person looking to get in to work this summer, and has the added bonus of getting a recognised qualification.
"The Ladder is here to help any young person looking to find some form of work based learning so they too can benefit from what this route has to offer."
At present, there are dozens of companies considering taking on a new starter, including manufacturers such as Midlands Alloy in Telford, which fabricates metal components, and Craven Arms-based power equipment maker REO UK.
Specialist safety testing company Cranage EMC, which is currently fitting out an impressive new facility on Market Drayton's Tern Valley Business Park, is also advertising through the scheme, as is another company in the town, North Shropshire Printing.
Shrewsbury-based wide format printing company CMY UK, Miles Brook House Hotel over the border at Knighton, and plastics additive maker Ampacet are all advertising roles.
Professional service sector businesses are also getting involved, including Jackson Equestrian Estate Agents, which handles the sales of multi-million pound, equestrian-focused properties from its head office in Shrewsbury, and Encore Personnel, which is based in Wellington.
The opportunity to grow the workforce, and instil the skills businesses need into an open minded, enthusiastic young employee, exists outside the realms of the Ladder, and other Shropshire businesses are demonstrating their willingness to taker on workers elsewhere.
Major, international companies have apprenticeship opportunities available at their county bases.
Among those is defence giant BAE Systems, which is currently advertising for a business administration apprentice.
Telecommunications group BT is offering an IT advanced apprenticeship at its Oswestry base, while abattoir operator ABP, which is one of Shropshire's biggest employers thanks to its operations in Ellesmere and Shrewsbury, has a vacancy for a butchery apprentice.
All companies interested in finding out more about apprenticeships should contact the Ladder on 0800 9998441, or 0330 999 8441 from mobile phones.
