Next week is Apprentice Week and Cirencester College Business School wants more young people to come forward to hear the words “you’re hired” in this challenging economic climate.

WHEN 18 year-old Leah Price joined her current employer Forces Recruitment Services in Cirencester as an apprentice just before Christmas she was looking forward to getting to grips with every aspect of the job.

“I wanted a job with hands-on work experience that would also lead to a qualification at the end,” she said.

Miss Price is already gaining a lot of different experience, ranging from computer use to helping clients look for work. And through day release at Cirencester College she is working towards an NVQ level 3 and a CIM certification. “I would definitely recommend it,” she said.

Cirencester College Business School, based at The Castle in Cirencester, has been expanding its programme of apprenticeships since 2009.

Thanks to increased Government funding, apprenticeships are now a very real option for young people who want to start their working life, take home a wage but also gain qualifications.

There are currently seven vacancies for apprenticeships at Cirencester College. However, perhaps surprisingly in this economic climate, candidates are reluctant to come forward.

Cirencester College business development manager Trina Sheridan believes that people have an old-fashioned view of apprenticeships. “People see apprenticeships as being for plumbers and not for them but we offer so much more,” she explained.

One of the best examples of this is the College’s new digital media apprenticeship. “We have a film company looking for an apprentice. It should be really exciting.”

Mrs Sheridan wants to get the message across to parents that apprenticeships are a very real choice for their children. “We want parents to see this as a viable option for well educated students especially as it becomes more expensive to go to university,” she said.

For Miss Price’s employer, Nick Lyons, regional director of Forces Recruitment Service, having an apprentice on board is about introducing vitality to his company. “We wanted someone who was receptive to learning about the whole business,” he explained.

“We see Leah as an integral part of the business, now and in the future. We wouldn’t take on an apprentice without there being a full-time job at the end of it.”

Mrs Sheridan is hopeful that next week’s apprentice week will help to get the message across to other young people like Miss Price that apprenticeships are an option.

“It’s so frustrating,” she said. “There must be some really good candidates out there.”

* During apprentice week job seekers will have the opportunity to drop into the main Cirencester College Fosse Way campus, Stroud Road to find out about apprenticeships on Monday 7 –Thursday 10 February from 11am-2pm.

APPRENTICESHIPS: SOME FACTS

* Apprentices gain on the job experience and earn a wage and receive training usually on a day-release basis towards nationally recognised qualifications.

* From 2011 Cirencester College offers apprenticeships in: Business and administration, childcare, customer service, digital media, heath and social care, hospitality, information technology user, marketing and communications and retail.

* Anyone living in England, over 16 and not in full-time education can apply.

* There is no set rate of pay for apprentices, however all employed apprentices must receive a wage of no less than £2.50 per hour.

* All Cirencester College apprenticeships are advertised on cirencester.ac.uk/apprenticeships and on the national website apprenticeships.org.uk. For more information call 01285 653961.