Member Article

Applications invited for paid apprenticeships’ scheme

An HR officer who made it up the career ladder at B-Skill Ltd after successfully completing an apprenticeship with the Newcastle-based training company is now calling for others to do the same.

Emma Storey manages applications for B-Skill’s newly launched apprenticeship programme, which is aimed at recruiting over sixteens keen to make their mark in customer services or business administration.

Up for immediate grabs are 13 positions within a range of key North East businesses, including law firms, estate agencies, recruitment agencies and even a drainage company. More vacancies are expected to be released soon.

The apprenticeship programme offers paid full-time employment alongside on-the-job training, which is delivered monthly at the host company by a B-Skill trainer. Apprentices usually graduate between 12 and 24 months later with an intermediate level 2 apprenticeship. They then have the possibility of progressing onto an advanced level 3 apprenticeship, and the prospect of long-term employment.

As Emma explains: “This is a fantastic opportunity for bright and ambitious young people who want to get their foot in the door with a quality employer and gain invaluable experience in either business administration or customer services – skills that are critical in every sector.

“This type of apprenticeship programme really works – I joined B-Skill through a different scheme in 2008 and secured a job at the end. Thanks to the placement I was able to complete my level 3 in human resources and then continued onto my level 5 while gaining experience in my chosen field within a well-respected company. Over the four years I was promoted twice - I now run the HR function and it’s a job I love.”

B-Skill’s managing director Paul Wileman adds: “Emma is proof that apprenticeship schemes are successful and it’s great to have one of our former apprentices now recruiting others.

“The 13 positions are available immediately so we are encouraging anyone that is interested to apply quickly as we expect a lot of interest in the business administration and customer services positions thanks to the fact they are paid, come with quality training and are within some of the region’s top businesses.”

For more information, please email apprenticeships@b-skill.com or call B-Skill on 0191 230 6690.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sarah Waddington .