Chris Vale from Garage 247 Transport, based in Hastings, took on Shannon Firminger as an Apprentice in 2014. Here, he describes how employing an apprentice has helped to improve his workforce.  

“Shannon is very hard working, reliable and a good team player. Her presence in the garage has altered the dynamics of the team for the better.” says Chris.

“The process of getting an apprentice on board was very straightforward and did not interrupt the day-to-day working within the garage. There was a lot of support for both us as the employer - and for Shannon too.”

Chris added: “Apprenticeships are a great way to improve the quality of your workforce and Sussex Coast College has a ready-made free recruitment process that gives the employer the opportunity to view students in the workplace environment before signing them up. To any employer thinking of taking on a young person for an apprenticeship – or even a traineeship - I would say go for it!”

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

Hard work, preparation and the help of Opt Into rewarded Matt Greenwood with the apprenticeship he’d been waiting for.

Before coming to Opt Into, an apprenticeship support group run by YES East Sussex, Matt had been struggling to secure an apprenticeship. He’d been finding the whole process of looking and applying for apprenticeships overwhelming and felt that his social anxiety was holding him back from achieving his goals.

Opt Into encouraged Matt to join their Apprenticeship Finder Group where he would receive intensive support with applications and help with preparing for interviews. Group numbers are kept small to ensure each attendee gets all the help they need and because the group is run on a ‘roll on, roll off’ programme, Matt was able to start straight away.

In the first few weeks of Matt attending, several of the other group members were offered apprenticeships and left. Witnessing their success only motivated Matt more and although he still felt quite nervous about interviews, his anxiety in social situations seemed to be significantly reduced and his confidence improved.

Matt’s persistence and determination finally paid off when he was offered an apprenticeship with a local insurance company starting this April. Opt Into continue to keep in touch with Matt and to offer him ongoing support.

 “I left college in mid-October and began attending the Opt Into sessions the following week", says Matt. "We learnt many different topics, all of which were relevant in gaining an apprenticeship. After about 3 or 4 months of going to the Opt Into sessions, applying for multiple positions, and being interviewed by many employers, I was finally offered an apprenticeship. The course was fantastic and the support was always there when I needed it. I enjoyed the course material too, it really helped me to get my apprenticeship.”

Opt Into is a programme run by YES East Sussex, a targeted information, advice and guidance service for 16-19 year olds. Commissioned by East Sussex County Council and delivered by Medway Youth Trust, YES provides impartial targeted information, advice and guidance (IAG) to young people facing specific and sometimes complex barriers to participation or who are vulnerable and disengaged from learning. YES also, where appropriate, deliver 1:1 support over a prolonged period of time. 

For further information please contact Phil Waite (01424 722045) or Dan Vernon (01323 410803).

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