Director says apprentice scheme is 'the best for my business'

J.A. Cliff Building Services in Market Drayton is one business where apprenticeships have helped the whole workforce to develop.

Director John Cliff has trained all his staff via apprenticeships, and has found them to be invaluable in creating a tight-knit, skilled workforce.

Having started the small business building conservatory bases 36 years ago, all six of his current members of staff are either current or former apprentices.

"I went down the apprenticeship route, and believe it to be the best for my business," Mr Cliff said.

"All of my staff have come straight from school and have stayed employed with me.

"I prefer to develop staff to my own style, and I try to develop them all individually as they have different qualities. The result is that I have a young, loyal, highly motivated workforce, all trained with the company's values and principles."

Because of the targeted and comprehensive training offered by the intermediate apprenticeship in construction building, which is supported by Reaseheath College, Mr Cliff is confident in the abilities of his workforce.

He added: "Because all my employees are trained to the same level, I know all work is carried out to the required standard.

"I can be sure of the development of my staff as there are new ideas and people coming into the business."

John now plans to continue training his staff via apprenticeships, including developing new supervisors and managers through advanced apprenticeships.

Shropshire-based electrical contractors firm Gra-Bern is another business which has continuously sought to develop its own staff since its launch in 1976.

The company, which has been based in Tweedale Court in Madeley since 1995, now employs 16 people, of whom six are current apprentices.

The range of expertise within the business means the company works in commercial, industrial, and increasingly in domestic markets.

"Reputation is everything to us in this company, with so much of our business gained through word of mouth recommendation," said founder Graham Brown, who remains at the helm of the business with partner Mick Goodwin.

"We have had four apprentices nominated for Apprentice of the Year and throughout that time have worked in partnership with national training provider JTL and Telford College to give our young recruits the full learning experience and the best opportunities for qualification."

In making choices on who to bring into the company, Gra-Bern makes use of the approved applicants list from training provider JTL, giving priority to those in the local area.

Access to the list is dependent on success in the JTL applicant test which is featured at www.jtltraining.com

The latest company recruit to come through this route is Emily Renshaw, 19, who started with the business in January, showing great enthusiasm for the work.

She says she always wanted to be an electrician and is pleased to have joined a company where, from Graham Brown onwards, all of the current trade staff have achieved success on a four-year apprenticeship route.