Ladder for Shropshire apprenticeships scheme is fantastic, says David Cameron

The Ladder for Shropshire has marked the first anniversary of its launch, since when it has helped match hundreds of local businesses with young jobseekers looking for on-the-job training.

Backed by the Shropshire Star, it has already been praised by Prince Andrew. And the Prime Minister today become the latest high-profile public figure to praise the work of the programme.

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

He sent a special message for employers who have joined the Ladder and the apprentices who have benefited from it.

"I'm delighted that Ladder for Shropshire has reached its first year milestone and my best wishes to all the partners involved," Mr Cameron said.

"It is a fantastic scheme helping dozens of people, the majority young, to get the skills and experience required for a better future.

"I very much hope Ladder for Shropshire can repeat the same level of success over the next year.

"The Government will play its part to help the campaign with our plan to achieve three million apprenticeships by 2020."

The tally for apprenticeships created under the auspices of three Ladder campaigns backed by the Shropshire Star and its sister paper the Express & Star has now passed the 1,000 mark.

Almost 200 apprenticeships have been created by the Ladder for Shropshire in just over a year, helping develop the skilled workforce required to keep the county's economy ticking.

Meanwhile, The Duke of York is expected to praise the work of the Ladder for Shropshire at a ceremony at St James's Palace next week.

About 80 people from Shropshire will join with others from the West Midlands in heading to the Queen's official residence in London to mark the success of the apprenticeship campaigns on April 27.

It comes as the Ladder for Shropshire, which was set up to help set young people on the road to a successful future of employment and to help pass on the skills that make the local economy tick, celebrated its first anniversary.

Since its launch in March last year, the county's Ladder campaign has delivered hundreds of new apprenticeship roles.

In total 201 new apprenticeship opportunities have been created, covering 32 different areas of industry, and 80 different employers. Combined with the Ladder for the Black Country and Ladder for Staffordshire, the campaigns have now shattered the 1,000 jobs mark.

So far roles to have been created in Shropshire include those in construction, animal care, engineering, cycle maintenance, laboratories, business administration and personal training.

Butchery, printing, warehousing, hospitality and catering are also among the wide range of sectors represented in the opportunities so far.

The Ladder campaign's efforts last year contributed to a 12 per cent rise in the number of placed apprentices compared to the previous year in Shropshire.

Jamie Pugh, marketing and communications officer for the Ladder for Shropshire, said: "This demonstrates not only the impact we have had on the number of vacancies being created, but also the number of young people and employers who have engaged with apprenticeships due to the awareness created by the campaign.

"Our influence within Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin has increased greatly over the past 12 months and has resulted in a much more positive attitude to apprenticeships in this area.

"Young people we aren't even aware of could have been influenced by the campaign or even indirectly through family members.

Organisations to have linked with the campaign recently include ESP Energy in Shrewsbury, Fairshare Credit Union in Telford, TI Automotive in Telford, Magiboards in Telford, Entatech in Telford, ORP CCTV in Telford, Unique Copiers in Telford, The Garage in Oswestry, Shrewsbury School and SW Asset Protection Limited in Shrewsbury.

After a recent apprenticeship event in Shrewsbury, more than 200 young people registered with the Ladder for Shropshire for advice and guidance, and their details are being shared with local training providers and colleges who can advise them on how best to move forward.

The Ladder has engaged with more than 30 different schools and colleges across the county, making 10 presentations and attending more than 25 careers events.

Mr Pugh said: "Employers' inquiries have increased massively over the last few months as more companies begin to see the benefits of the apprenticeship route.

"The Ladder for Shropshire will continue to make itself available to any employer interested in finding out about this route and helping to provide the workforce of the future."

It all adds up for accountants:

The Ladder for Shropshire has matched young people with employers of all shapes and sizes.

Manufacturing, hospitality and engineering are all sectors to have benefited from new people entering businesses in Shropshire.

Service sector firm One of the key sectors for the Shropshire economy is the service sector, and Telford-based KEW Accountants, in Stafford Park, Telford, was among the businesses to enlist reach out for support via the Ladder. Owner Karen Whitehead appointed accountancy apprentice Samantha Doody to help her cope with an increasing workload for her two-year-old start-up business.

Ms Whitehead said: "The business turned two on April 1," Ms Whitehead said. "I started off with a portfolio of clients, but in the first year we grew by about 25 per cent in terms of client numbers.

"Then, during the second year, we grew client numbers by about 25 per cent again. We just couldn't get the work done without an additional member of staff. Ms Whitehead added: I wanted somebody that I could train from scratch, not somebody that came with pre-conceived ideas – somebody that could grow with the business.

"I heard about the Ladder in an email through Shropshire Chamber of Commerce, and brought Samantha in. She's done very well, and we are able to train her in our systems and the way we want things done."

Miss Doody, who lives in St Georges, added: "Things have been really good – I passed all my exams first time, and am moving onto the next level now.

"It has saved me a lot of years of training, things like going to university, and it means get the work experience, training and money at the same time."