Member Article

National Apprenticeship Week: Optionis trainees set for challenge

Trainees at a Cheshire-headquartered professional services group will get a taste of TV shows The Apprentice and Dragons’ Den thanks to a National Apprenticeship Week challenge.

More than 25 apprentices at Optionis in Warrington will be split into teams and tasked with creating a presentation or marketing campaign to encourage young people to consider an apprenticeship.

The various pitches will be judged by a three-strong panel comprising Warrington South MP David Mowat, Warrington & Co managing director Steve Park and Optionis chief executive Rob Crossland.

A prize will also be presented to the winner of the company’s inaugural ‘Apprentice of the Year’ award, with submissions being assessed by Optionis senior managers.

The judging panel and presentation will take place at the company’s premises on Centre Park in Warrington on Friday, 7th March – the last day of National Apprenticeship Week 2014.

Mr Crossland said: “As a group we have invested heavily in our apprenticeship programme, and we now have trainees playing key roles throughout most business units and departments. I for one have been extremely impressed by the talent, dedication and work ethic I have witnessed.

“National Apprenticeship Week is the perfect occasion to recognise and celebrate the vital contribution made by our trainees. I’m looking forward to seeing the ideas they come up with.”

Optionis employs around 250 staff across sites in Warrington, Greater Manchester, London, Poole and Dorchester. That number is expected to reach 350 by March 2016.

The group is home to employment services provider Parasol, small business and contractor support specialist ClearSky and cloud-based sales performance management software Silverline.

Optionis trainees work towards recognised academic qualifications during their first 12 months with the group, with the opportunity to secure permanent contracts once they complete their apprenticeship.

The company works closely with Warrington Collegiate and other training providers in the area to create tailored study programmes for its apprentices.

Adam Swift, 18, a marketing apprentice at Optionis, said: “For me, being able to earn money at the same time as getting experience in a busy marketing department is brilliant.

Everyone here is really friendly and I have been given some interesting projects to get my teeth into. Some of my friends have gone to university, but for me it’s good to get used to the routine of a working week, and get that experience under my belt.

“Hopefully I will be able to get a permanent job here once I’ve completed my apprenticeship.”

To register interest in the Optionis apprenticeship scheme, email recruitment@optionis.co.uk with your CV, area of interest and a covering letter explaining your reasons for wanting to become an Optionis apprentice.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Simon Malia .