STACEY Wilkinson, 17, from Newcastle is the latest young person in the North East of England to be placed as an apprentice with a local employer thanks to nationwide training provider First4Skills.

Determined to gain employment after leaving school, the opportunity to earn a wage and learn new skills immediately appealed to Stacey. “I was looking to leave sixth form and decided an apprenticeship with First4Skills and the option to secure a job whilst also earning a wage and continuing to learn would be ideal for me,” he said.

With 30 years’ experience in work-based learning, First4Skills is one of the UK’s largest training providers working with clients such as New Look, Co-operative Financial Services, and Frankie & Benny’s to deliver a wide range of vocational qualifications, including retail, customer service, business administration and hospitality.

Stacey was enrolled onto a hospitality apprenticeship within Greens Health & Fitness in Gosforth with the help of the First4Skills matching service, designed to meet the needs of both local business and young people.

Employers can register their vacancy with First4Skills who will then advertise the vacancy, and pre-screen the most suitable candidates from its bank of applicants for employers to interview.

Hiring an apprentice through First4Skills is a great way for businesses to gain access to the very best in 16 to 18-year-old talent as Phil Lambton, food and beverage manager explains.

“It’s great to see someone grow over time and develop within their job role,” he says. “It has also given us the opportunity to support a young person in gaining employment and qualifications to benefit their future.”

Phil and the team at Greens Health & Fitness are thrilled with the progress Stacey is making through her training, so much so that she has been offered a permanent contract of employment.

He says: “We have seen Stacey grow from day one.

“We now have an accomplished member of staff; Stacey is eager to learn and has made a massive impact on our business!

“The support received from First4Skills has been second to none, the training was built around Stacey’s role and complemented our existing internal training perfectly; the content of visits from her training assessor was just right.”

Greens Health & Fitness has since taken on a second apprentice with the support of First4Skills.

“Businesses should not overlook the valuable impact young people can make on your organisation,” explains Phil.

“We were so impressed with Stacey and the service we received from First4Skills we decided to hire Jamie Russell as an apprentice and it has been a great opportunity for Stacey to pass on her skills and knowledge to assist Jamie in his learning.”

First4Skills currently has a number of job vacancies and apprentices seeking their first taste of employment throughout the region.

Chris Peddie, First4Skills regional director for the North East says: “Our service has been a hit with local employers and we are keen to raise awareness of the business benefits that can be experienced as a result of investing in young talent. Our service means employers do not incur any recruitment costs and in many cases the cost of the apprenticeship is covered by government funding – in return employers get motivated, eager employees who are keen to work for, and progress within their organisation.”

For further information on the First4Skills recruitment service visit www.first4skills.com  or call 0845 071 9011.