LoveLocalJobs.com’s Sam Terry (centre) with Nicky Binning, Head of Recruitment Services (left) and Gary Peters, LoveLocalJobs.com’s Founder (right) A scheme to help young people into rewarding careers has launched in the south east. Believed to be the first of its kind, the project aims to create work placement opportunities for apprentices within local companies.
The initiative has been developed by LoveLocaljobs.com whose founder, Gary Peters, has long been an advocate of apprenticeships. He commented: “The rising cost of university means that more and more young people are looking at alternative career paths and apprenticeships can open doors to professions in almost anything from accounting to digital marketing.
“Any organisation can offer an apprentice scheme and there is government funding available to help with the costs. However, there simply isn’t enough awareness among businesses as to how apprenticeships work, so the result is that the supply of work placements doesn’t meet the demand.
“LoveLocalJobs.com is the missing link between the colleges and employers. We engage with local businesses to identify opportunities and help them to access government funding to set up an apprenticeship scheme. We will then place an appropriate apprentice who has the requisite skills, motivation and interest to learn the business,” said Gary.
LoveLocalJobs.com has engaged Sam Terry, himself a former apprentice, to sell the benefits of apprentices to businesses. Sam said: “The benefit for employers is the opportunity to mould a young person into their ideal employee, without the commitment of a large salary or long contract. This is particularly helpful for small or start-up companies who may be unsure if they can commit to a full-term employee.
Sam continued: “I began my career as an apprentice so I understand both sides and can help employers and apprentices through the process. It’s hugely rewarding to find a placement for a keen, hardworking apprentice in an organisation where they can really help make a difference.”
