Member Article

Employment scheme reaches new heights with 500th Apprentice

An employment scheme which helps firms to take on Apprentices has reached new heights with its 500th young recruit being placed into work.

Holly Hirst, aged 17, notched up the landmark when she was taken on by the Durham Climbing Centre, in Meadowfield, as part of Durham County Council’s grant-supported initiative.

She is the latest to benefit from the Apprenticeship programme, started three years ago, where small to medium sized businesses are given grants to help young people, aged 16 to 24.

The scheme, with businesses getting £1,000 from Durham County Council and £1,500 from the National Apprenticeship Service, is open to those with less than 250 employees who have never recruited an apprentice or taken one on in the last 12 months.

The 500 Apprentices have been recruited to a wide range of roles ranging from horticulture to catering and engineering.

Cllr Neil Foster, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for economic regeneration, said: “This is a fantastic milestone and we wish Holly every success.

“It is great that we have been able to help so many unemployed young people break into the world of work and also help businesses develop.

“We look forward to taking the programme forward and reaching more landmarks.”

Hayley McKenna, from Durham Climbing Centre, added: “Holly has already proved to be a great asset to the centre in the short time she has been here.

“She has built rapport with customers and has quickly picked up the day to day running of the business in her vital administration role.

“I highly recommend the Apprenticeship programme and would encourage other businesses to offer young people the opportunity to develop their skills and expertise.”

Durham Climbing Centre opened in 2007 and now has 25,000 users, ranging from two-year-olds to people aged 80 and above.

More information on the Apprenticeship programme is available from the employability team at Durham County Council.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Martin Walker .