Sussex Coast College Hastings has seen a full circle of success following the You’re Hired campaign launch back in March.

Barry Foggon of successful online retailer, ‘SoxUwear’ attended the Hastings event launch after hearing about the event on the local news.

‘Running my own business and having a lack of skills in the IT area, I thought I would attend the pledge event to see what it was all about. It was both informative and interesting.’ says Barry.

‘I’m glad I did as I now have two IT Technician Online Retail Apprentices working with me, being trained in the use, operation and maintenance of our IT computing software systems and their use in linking to over 20 outside IT systems”

Sussex Coast College Hastings (SCCH) worked closely with Barry to find two apprentices that met his needs. David Watson, from the Apprenticeship team at SCCH said, ‘The You're Hired campaign has given the College an opportunity to tap into a larger and broader audience.

‘Since its launch on Monday 9 March the college have had over 100 pledges, and have already seen a quarter of these pledges converted into vacancies and starts.’

Sussex Coast College Hastings is one of the largest providers of Apprenticeships in the South East. They have been offering Apprenticeships for over ten years across a variety of industries including Business, Construction, Engineering, Motor Vehicle and Service Industries, working with businesses across Hastings, Bexhill and Rother. Contact the Apprenticeship Team on 01424 458340 or email apprenticeships@sussexcoast.ac.uk.

Pictured: You're Hired campaign launch in Hastings

For Callum Miller, age 17, it's the combination of theory and practical experience that makes his apprenticeship so successful.

Callum Miller started an apprenticeship with TrAC in July 2014 and has since been placed with a number of different contractors including PH Beck Ltd, Niblock Building Contractors and more recently Cheesmur where he’s been getting a variety of onsite experience. Callum currently attends East Surrey College at Redhill on a day release basis following their L2 NVQ Maintenance Operations framework.

Working on site with lots of different trades and people from different backgrounds has helped Callum improve his confidence. “The combination of college structure and working in this environment has given me the start I needed to progress in the industry” he said. “I enjoy working on tasks with experienced tradespeople who can guide me while I’m working but let me work at my own pace. Working with different contractors has helped my confidence too. College gives me the theory I need but the apprenticeship route, combining both, really suits my learning style.”

Callum had wanted to work in the construction industry but struggled to get an apprenticeship until, with the help of the local Youth Employment Service he found TrAC. After completing his application online followed by a swift interview process he started his apprenticeship.

Janine, Callum’s site manager from PH Beck said: “During his placement with us Callum was very conscientious and an all-round hard worker. His skills improved so much in the last few months of his placement and he left us with much more confidence than when he started”. Steve Hayman, Director at Cheesmur said in a recent interview: “I visited site a couple of weeks ago and Callum was busy doing whatever he could to help the team there, he’s a great asset for TrAC and a real ambassador for apprenticeships” whilst Kevin Hartland at Niblock said “we wouldn’t hesitate to have Callum back on placement with us.”

Looking to the future, Callum is keen to progress with his apprenticeship and gain more experience. "Each of my placements so far have helped me to build my skills and have given me a fantastic start. After I’m qualified and have gained more experience I would like to be a foreman or even have my own business one day. Our industry needs more apprenticeship schemes for young people like me so that we can get into construction as a career choice”.

TrAC is a not for profit, employer-led organisation financially supported by East Sussex County Council. TrAC was set up in response to industry demand with the specific aim of helping employers who want to support an apprentice but are unable to provide the two to three years of employment, typically required in the construction industry to help an apprentice finish their training. TrAC works with a wide range of clients, main contractors and their supply chains to find and place suitable apprentices on projects for fixed periods of time (these are typically six months in duration though this is variable). For more information contact Sally Moore or Kerry Linley at on 01263 735486 or email info@tracweb.co.uk.

Pictured: Callum Miller

You're Hired - East Sussex Apprenticeships

#YoureHiredES  |  Visit our website  |  Email