01 April 2015

Welcome to the fortnightly You're Hired East Sussex newsletter.

This week read about how apprenticeships have proved a good investment for a landscape gardening company and how a teaching assistant discovered her dream career.

We're thrilled to already be over half way towards meeting our target of 500 apprenticeship pledges from businesses. We’ve also been busy speaking to potential apprentices. Make sure to visit our shiny-new You're Hired Facebook page where we'll be posting videos, quizzes and apprenticeship opportunities - please 'like' and 'share' and help us to spread the word! You can also now follow us on Twitter at @YoureHiredES. And lastly, don't forget to check out our apprenticeship video playlist full of useful content including top tips for apprentices and employer perspectives.

Frogheath Landscapes is based in Burwash and specialises in creative garden design, garden construction, garden creation and landscaping.

Run by husband and wife team Steve and Alison Moody, the award-winning firm currently employs two apprentices; Jack Last, 19 from Burwash, and Harry Wickens, 20, from Heathfield.

The apprentices work as full-time landscape assistants and as well as learning on the job, study the theoretical side of their apprenticeship with Plumpton College, a partner of the You’re Hired East Sussex campaign.

Alison Moody, Member Director of Frogheath Landscapes, said: “We have a long history of apprenticeships and the reason we decided to take some on is that as a rural business, trying to secure good, long-term employees is not easy.

“The landscape industry is incredibly physically challenging, and we felt that by bringing in young people, with training, it would be a good investment for the business which it has been, but it has also been hard work. Young apprentices need pushing, encouraging, and developing, but it's been worth it. We have past apprentices and young employees who have gone on to become; a chartered landscape architect in Dubai, partner in a landscape company in Hollywood, and another is running his own business. One of our past apprentices was a reluctant learner at school, but is now doing a degree after spending seven years working with us.

“For anyone considering being an apprentice, it is worthwhile because it opens doors to wherever you want to go.

Frogheath Landscapes have won a string of accolades, including most recently Tomorrow’s People awards for Employer of the Year and Apprentice of the Year. They specialise in creative garden design, garden construction, garden creation and landscaping. To find out more visit Frogheath or call 01435 883516.

Pictured: Jack Last and Harry Wickens.

A teaching assistant from Brighton is encouraging others to consider apprenticeships after landing her dream job.

After previously pursuing a career with the police, Charlie Thornton is now working as a teaching assistant apprentice at Carden Primary School, Hollingbury and says she couldn’t be happier.

Before setting foot in the classroom, Charlie began by volunteering with the Prince’s Trust, working with young adults. She soon discovered that teaching wasn’t only something that she enjoyed, but that she had a set of skills that could be transferred to the classroom.  

Charlie found her apprenticeship through Youthforce, an independent training provider specialising in apprenticeships for schools. Youthforce, who are a partner of the You’re Hired East Sussex campaign, currently work with more than 300 schools and as many as 5,500 young people.

Having secured the teaching assistant apprenticeship, Charlie can now work towards her goals which include graduating to an advanced apprenticeship or gaining a teaching assistant job before completing a teaching degree with the Open University.

“I loved school, I never wanted to leave and it’s like I’m back now,” said Charlie. “I fit in here and I absolutely love what I do.”

Helen Longton-Howarth, Head Teacher at Carden Primary School, which currently has two Teaching Assistant Apprentices, added: “I think this is a great idea, the two apprentices we have are really good. There seems to be a lot happening now to promote apprenticeships and I think other schools are taking an interest in taking them on.”

Pictured: Charlie Thornton.

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