Shropshire Star

Ladder For Shropshire: More firms giving youngsters a leg up

More businesses are signing up to the Ladder for Shropshire campaign as the fight to build the county's future workforce gathers pace.

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Jackson Equestrian Estate Agents is among the companies in Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin to have set about the search for a new starter.

The Shrewsbury-based company is responsible for the sale of an astonishing portfolio of properties across Shropshire, Cheshire and Mid Wales, with a particular focus on those estates which are suited to horse owners.

The Ladder for Shropshire is an apprenticeship scheme.

And whether you are a business looking at taking on an apprentice or a young person looking for work, there are plenty of benefits to being part of getting involved. We want companies – large, medium and small – to take on apprentices and help them onto the job ladder.

An apprenticeship is a paid job that includes on and off-the-job training. For every apprentice taken, employers may be eligible for a Government grant of £1,500.

More than 80 per cent of consumers favour using a company that takes on apprentices and 74 per cent of businesses say apprentices are more loyal and stay with the business longer than other employees.

  • For full details visit ladderforshropshire.co.uk For more information call 0330 999 8441 or 0800 999 8441.

  • You can also email ladder@apprentice-providers.co.uk or fill out the online contact form here

Now the business is hoping to find a business administration apprentice who can help take the business forward.

"Having endured the difficult period in the housing market for a few years, we are glad to see the hard work has paid off and we are in a position to take on additional employees," said Sara Watts, the company's head of business development and accounts.

"We are busier than ever and in need of additional administrative support. We hope that in taking on a business & administration apprentice we will receive the support we require and provide on-the-job training for an individual interested in an estate agency career.

"Ideally, we'll take on an apprentice who will carve out a key role for themselves in the business and stay on as an employee after their apprenticeship has finished."

The company, led by Shropshire-born Richard Burton, the most successful point-to-point jockey in history, opened its Shrewsbury head office last October, complementing existing offices in Cheshire, Herefordshire and London.

A redundant agricultural building has been converted to provide the new office accommodation, supported by a grant from the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership's Redundant Buildings Grant Scheme.

"The business has built its success through combining extensive equestrian and property knowledge – being able to talk to a potential purchaser about the specifics of an equestrian property is vital," Ms Watts added.

Jamie Pugh, marketing and development officer at the Ladder for Shropshire, said the latest vacancies demonstrated the progress being made by employers in developing the skills required for the future.

"The Ladder campaign is really gathering pace now," he said.

"We have already seen the first people taking up employment on the back of their participation in the Ladder for Shropshire, and we are excited by the prospect of seeing more young people getting into work.

"Jackson Equestrian is a highly respected member of the local business community, and this provides a fabulous opportunity to work with a business quite unlike others in its sector.

"It demonstrates the wide scope that the Ladder offers to our county's youngsters, and provides further evidence that this is a campaign that appeals to employers and employees alike. This role in particular would be perfect for somebody with a love of horses, and gives them a chance to get into a field of expertise for which they have a particular affection."

He added: "Now the key is to find the right young person to fill this vacancy. There are a lot of young people about to leave school college who might be considering their options, and seeking en alternative to going to university.

"This vacancy is one of many that demonstrates to them that apprentices don't just provide a fall-back option, but a real alternative that will allow them to build a long-term career right here in Shropshire.

"Over the last week we have seen a flourish of new learners looking to find out more about apprenticeships and we have helped them find the right programme for them. The Ladder is available to anyone interested in apprenticeships and we will do whatever we can help to help you whether it's choosing the right apprenticeship or finding the best provider in your area."

At present, around 30 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 become the first employer in Shropshire to take on an apprentice through the Ladder was Wroxeter Roman Vineyard, the popular tourist attraction near Shrewsbury which appointed Stacey Jones as an apprentice business administration representative last week.

Among the other businesses looking for staff are Telford-based metal component manufacturer Midlands Alloy, specialist safety testing company Cranage EMCin Market Drayton, and Shrewsbury-based wide format printing company CMY UK.

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