Apprenticeships boost for local jobs
market
Ian Williams is offering local young people
the chance to kick-start their careers by taking up
apprenticeships. The national company, which maintains and
refurbishes a variety of buildings across the South West including
local homes and schools, has a target of employing five per cent of
its trade workforce through apprenticeships.
Apprenticeships are offered in trades such as
plumbing, carpentry and painting and are supported by Connexions
and ConstructionSkills - the skills council for the construction
industry.
The news comes as figures show young people in
particular are finding it hard to enter the jobs market in the face
of recession.*
Among the apprentices recently recruited by
Ian Williams are Aiden Truelove and Ross Bishop.
Aiden, aged 20, an apprentice carpenter from
Plymouth, said: “I had left school and was working in an office
before I found out about apprenticeships with Ian Williams. It is
the best move I have ever made. I am now a year into the
apprenticeship and thoroughly enjoying it. I love doing something
practical and am learning so much more on the job than I would just
in a classroom.
“I think apprenticeships are the way forward and would definitely
recommend that others interested in this sort of work go for
it.”
Ross, aged 19, from Looe in Cornwall has also
just completed the first year of an apprenticeship in carpentry. He
said: “It has been really good to get straight into work and
develop the skills I need for my career. The practical work
complements the time spent in the classroom. I would say to anyone
considering an apprenticeship to grab the opportunity, particularly
in the current climate when jobs are more difficult to come
by.”
Stuart Weddle, Maintenance Manager at Ian
Williams, said: “Apprentices are the future of the company and the
industry we work in and we are committed to supporting young people
to develop the skills they need for a successful career.
“In the current economic climate schemes such
as apprenticeships become even more important in helping people
into the jobs market and we are pleased to be able to maintain our
commitment over the coming year.”
The Plymouth arm of Ian Williams, will be
taking on up to four new recruits to work on its projects in the
south west later this year. Anyone interested in finding out more
about an apprenticeship with Ian Williams can contact 01454
328000.