GPs employ first apprentice (From This is The West Country)

GPs employ first apprentice

1:30pm Thursday 11th March 2010

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)

Taunton 17-year-old Sophie Groves has become the first apprentice in Somerset to be recruited under a Government scheme which gives a grant incentive to employers.

The Apprenticeship Grant for Employers offers businesses a £2,500 bonus for each unemployed 16 or 17-year-old they take on as an apprentice.

The Government hopes the AGE scheme, launched in January, will lead to the recruitment of around 5,000 extra apprentices nationally.

There has already been an excellent take-up of the grant from employers and efforts are now focussed on finding 5,000 suitable 16 and 17-year-olds to take advantage of the new Apprenticeship jobs on offer.

There are now many more opportunities for young people in the South-West in sectors including business, administration and law, engineering and manufacturing and leisure, travel and tourism.

This month Sophie started work in the administration department at the Blackbrook Surgery, in Taunton.

The former Castle School pupil said: “It’s a great opportunity for me.

"When I left school I went to Bridgwater College but really college work didn’t suit me and the apprenticeship is ideal.

“I get the chance to learn at the same time as working in a profession I really want to pursue.”

Surgery Practice Manager Gale Berryman said: “For us it is the right time to bring in a new young face to the surgery to learn the ropes in all areas of administration.

“The Government scheme wasn’t the real motivator for us – but it will certainly help.”

Sophie’s training will be overseen by Richard Huish College, in Taunton, which she will attend one day a week.

Carys Edwards, the college’s Employer Responsiveness Manager, said: “Apprenticeships are continuing to grow in popularity with employers.

"They can see the value of ‘growing their own talent’ and the business benefits that can bring.

“The new grant scheme for employers has been a great way to promote apprenticeships and we have certainly seen an increase in the number of apprenticeship opportunities available with employers in the area.”

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)