Bassetlaw: Apprentices flying high with local firms

Businesses in Bassetlaw have been benefiting from a new apprentice pilot scheme.

Run by Bassetlaw Community Partnership (BCP), youngsters have been employed at companies across the region inlcluding Work Window, Bassetlaw Community Voluntary Service, Hope and Loftus Stowe.

To celebrate the success of the apprentices so far, an event was held to highlight the benefits that businesses can enjoy by taking on an apprentice.

BCP, which is made up of Bassetlaw District Council, North Notts College, Bassetlaw Clinical Commissioning Group, A1 Housing, Notts County Council, Notts Police, Notts Fire and Rescue service, BCVS and RCAN, has provided financial support for the scheme in the form of a wage subsidy.

Bassetlaw Clinical Commissioning Group chief officer, Phil Mettam, said: “This is an ideal way to get the public and private sectors together to see what we can do to improve the quality of life locally.”

The apprentices are now a third of the way through a 12-month programme of working with small to medium businesses.

Lee Footitt, apprentice at Work Window said: “I had been an apprentice at a company in Doncaster previously but had been made redundant, so it’s great to have another opportunity like this. To be able to contribute to a local business and be part of something and feel valued is great.”

Maxine Mayson, sales director at Retford recruitment agency Work Window, said: “Lee has progressed very well and can now be trusted to run the office in my absence.”

“We hadn’t considered taking on an apprentice before Lee, but now we would rather employ someone as an apprentice and help them to grow with the company.”

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