Hambleton has marked national apprentice week by celebrating the success of its own scheme.
The District Council launched its initiative in October 2012 – and has now helped 84 young people into work through a Changing Lives Building Business fund.
The authority has supported businesses by providing funding for wages and equipment. In the last 12 months, 27 apprentice roles were funded, with the scheme exhausted by September due to its success. Applications for the next allocation opens in April.
One of the most recent apprentices – and a winner in the council’s apprentice awards – is 19 year old Jonty Gill at Colin Hutson Accounting Limited in Northallerton.
Company Secretary and joint owner, Julie Hutson said that having an apprentice opens up the opportunity to upskill a person into the profession in a way that works for the business – the individual learns from the start and learns the company ways as they have been ‘home grown.’
“It is good to give something back. I have worked with young people throughout my career it is good to have a mix of people to encourage someone into a career,” she said.
“Regardless of the role or level of role, I look at what the apprentice is good at in order to increase their responsibility and take the lead on a particular area of work or project. Jonty has taken on increasing responsibilities and is now in a position to help train newcomers. He is an asset to our business – and his success has encouraged us to take on a second apprentice.”