Pupils learn about Ladder for Shropshire apprenticeships opportunity

The Shropshire Star-backed campaign to deliver a huge boost to apprenticeships in the county saw representatives head for Marches School in Oswestry to deliver an address to sixth form students.

The youngsters heard that more than 108 new roles have so far been created by businesses in a variety of sectors from across Shropshire.

They were also given advice on how to apply for apprenticeships, and to demonstrate the breadth of roles that are available.

The Ladder for Shropshire is an apprenticeship scheme.

And whether you are a business looking at taking on an apprentice or a young person looking for work, there are plenty of benefits to being part of getting involved. We want companies – large, medium and small – to take on apprentices and help them onto the job ladder.

An apprenticeship is a paid job that includes on and off-the-job training. For every apprentice taken, employers may be eligible for a Government grant of £1,500.

More than 80 per cent of consumers favour using a company that takes on apprentices and 74 per cent of businesses say apprentices are more loyal and stay with the business longer than other employees.

• For full details visit ladderforshropshire.co.uk

• For more information call 0330 999 8441 or 0800 999 8441.

• You can also email ladder@apprentice-providers.co.uk or fill out the online contact form here

So far, the Ladder has seen positions made available in the tourism, manufacturing, hospitality, construction and care sectors, among many others.

Ask Mobile Phones and Roofrite Ltd are among the most recent businesses to sign up to the campaign.

Jamie Pugh, marketing and development officer for the Ladder for Shropshire, said: "It's vital that we keep reiterating the message to students that apprenticeships are a terrific way to launch yourself onto the career ladder.

"A large part of these school and college presentations has not only been to promote apprenticeships in general, but also to show pupils how to apply for vacancies, and what it is employers are looking for from candidates when it comes to applying."During the Ladder's visit we outlined the different types of apprenticeships available as well as the benefit of gaining that practical experience within their preferred industry."

He added: "Although a lot of students may have already decided to go to university, the Ladder is always trying to showcase all of the career options available to young people so that they can make more informed decision about their future."

Since the Ladder began visiting local schools/colleges last month, it has visited the Corbet School in Baschurch, Mary Webb School in Pontesbury, Telford Priory School, the Lakelands Academy in Ellesmere, Bishop Heber School in Malpas and Sir John Talbot's School in Whitchurch.

Marches School tweeted after the visit:

Other schools and colleges have invited representatives from the apprenticeship campaign to speak to students, including the Grove School in Market Drayton, Thomas Adams School in Wem, and Southall School in Telford and Burton Borough School in Newport.

Mr Pugh added: "This campaign has always been about creating apprenticeships, and finding the ideal candidates to fill them."

"It performs a dual role, alleviating the problem of youth unemployment, and creating a skilled workforce that will be at the heart of Shropshire's economy for decades to come."

To contact the Ladder call 0800 999 8441 or 0330 999 8441 from a mobile.