Member Article

Apprentices earn & learn with Simply Thank You

Business is booming for Darlington-based Simply Thank You, a leader in Client Engagement Solutions, who have three more apprentices on the way.

Simply Thank You are celebrating the growth of their business with the creation of three new apprentice positions in the Purchasing, Account Management and Customer Services departments of the company, which has seen domestic and international expansion over the last 12 months.

Since its launch in 1993, the company has always made space for young adults who want to earn as they learn. One of Simply Thank You’s former apprentices, Neil Robinson, began as a trainee more than 13 years ago and now manages the IT and Web Applications department.

Neil says of his training, “I started my apprenticeship in 2000 because I wanted to go straight into work. I found that my apprenticeship was the way to continue learning in a supportive environment.”

Neil is part of the 51% of UK apprentices who remain in their IT jobs after five years. The opportunity he was given at Simply Thank You has led him to build a career there and now, he imparts wisdom to other young people.

“When I left college at 17, I never dreamed I would grow with the company the way I have, moving up through the ranks. Now I’m in a position to train new apprentices at Simply Thank You,” he said.

Apprenticeships have been well represented in the press recently following the 100 Days of Apprentices Challenge, an initiative to encourage North East businesses to ‘grow their own talent’ by providing training on the job. The message is one that Group CEO Colin Eglington has always identified with.

Colin comments, “We took on apprentices when Simply Thank You first opened because it’s an ideal opportunity for them to learn how to grow and develop with the business. By being exposed to a range of departments, they acquire a lot of skills which means in the future, they can be involved with everything. Some of our apprentices have become important figures in our company.”

There are employees companywide who started their career with an apprenticeship. Customer Service Advisor Keith Greer studied Business Administration, while Richard Toth, in IT and Web, was awarded a full time job before even reaching the end of his studies.

The addition of three new starters means that 30% of Simply Thank You office staff now come from an apprenticeship background, a figure the company is very proud of.

Colin Eglington, Group CEO, says, “Our business is growing, and we need to expand our workforce. The addition of high level apprentices means they get their foot on the ladder from the start”.

And development at Simply Thank You doesn’t stop with the completion of the first qualification. The workforce is encouraged by directors to aim high; some employees who have completed their training have moved onto further on-the-job education.

Business administrator Sophie Richardson completed her apprenticeship in February of this year, and now enjoys a permanent role, with her sights set on Marketing.

“I completed my apprenticeship six months ago and now I’m working on a CIM qualification in Marketing,” she says. “My advice to anyone considering an apprenticeship is to go for it. I’ve had the opportunity to work in the customer services centre, account development and finance. Now, I’m being supported through another qualification that will allow me to progress even further with Simply Thank You.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Simply Thank You .