A teenage Sutton apprentice and her boss are urging people to sign up to Sutton’s Apprenticeship Hub as part of National Apprenticeship Week (14-18 March).

This week staff promoting the Sutton Apprenticeship Hub, set up by Sutton Council, will be in the High Street speaking to 16 to 24 year olds about becoming apprentices.

The Hub, which can be found at www.getaheadsutton.org, launched in November 2015. Since then the matching site has signed up 60 businesses and has a noticeboard with 29 live jobs for apprentices.

Amy Crawford is a 19 year old from Sutton, who left Sixth Form in June 2014 and secured a 12-month apprenticeship with local human resources management business The HR Dept in Mulgrave Road, Sutton, through JACE Training Limited, which also delivered the apprenticeship training.

Amy said:

“Securing an apprenticeship is a big moment for anyone. It gives you exposure to the working environment whilst studying and gaining a qualification, as well as earning a wage.

“I have found the apprenticeship route to be a great alternative to university because it has given me a real-life experience in a working environment rather than theoretical learning.”

During her apprenticeship Amy gained business administration skills and HR knowledge while studying for an NVQ Level 3 Business Administration qualification and was also nominated for the National Apprentice of the Year award.

She is now qualified and works full-time as HR Co-ordinator for The HR Dept.

Amy’s boss, Fintan O’Toole, Managing Director of The HR Dept, advises young people to think seriously about an apprenticeship as an alternative to university. He said:

“I truly believe that for the right person an apprenticeship can be a fantastic alternative to university. If you are looking to follow a particular vocation – law, science etc – that requires a degree, then an apprenticeship can give you a flying start in the world of work.”

He added:

“Amy joined us straight from the Sixth Form with limited experience of the workplace. She has had the opportunity to try a range of different activities and has made a real contribution to the company. Her apprenticeship was a ‘win-win’ and we are delighted that Amy has chosen to stay with us following the successful completion of her course.

“Amy is now a full-time employee here at The HR Dept and we are now working with her on the next stage of her development.

“It is clear that Amy’s confidence, knowledge and authority have all grown significantly as a result of this process, and we would not hesitate in taking on another apprentice.”

Sutton Apprenticeship Hub

Both Amy and Fintan strongly urge any young people in Sutton thinking of an apprenticeship to register with the Sutton Apprenticeship Hub, which Sutton Council set up to help businesses in the borough offering apprenticeship places and on-the-job learning to link up with young people.

Overseen by Opportunity Sutton, the council’s economic growth and development division, the Sutton Apprenticeship Hub is a one-stop shop for businesses and young people looking for apprenticeships. It provides information and advice for young people looking for an alternative to university, explains the benefits of gaining skills in a workplace setting and the higher-level training opportunities available.

The Sutton Apprenticeship Hub is one of a number of council initiatives to promote the benefits of apprenticeships to borough businesses and young people.

Amy says:

“The Sutton Apprenticeship Hub is great for Sutton and great for young people. I could have done with the Hub when I was searching for an apprenticeship as it makes it much easier for young people to register their interest and find businesses looking for their skills.”

Fintan adds:

“I think the Sutton Apprenticeship Hub is a great way to bring together businesses looking for apprentices and young people looking to become apprentices and get their feet on the career ladder instead of going to university. I would recommend it to all local businesses looking for the best the borough has to offer. In addition, young people can earn while they learn.”

Cllr Wendy Mathys, Chair of the Post-14 Progression and Employability Board (PEB) at Sutton Council, said:

“Apprentices are the lifeblood of businesses. They are dedicated, hard-working and can be moulded into invaluable employees. We set up the Sutton Apprenticeship Hub to bring together businesses with those wanting apprenticeships.

“I’m delighted that it is helping both Sutton’s workforce and businesses to succeed and I would urge people to sign up and get ahead.”