Pictured above: Kelsey Weston

Shrewsbury School takes on an apprentice for the first time in their history, and uses new online system to find the perfect candidate.

Keen to fill an Adminsitration vacancy within their reception team, Crowmoor Primary School, Shrewsbury approached County Training, part of Shropshire Council, who suggested they post their vacancy on the new Apprenticeship vacancies - an online web-based system that matches employers with potential apprentices.

Set up by the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) earlier this year, the new online system has been designed to increase the number of Apprenticeship opportunities and provides a dedicated, responsive service for both employers and learners.  

After receiving applications from a large number of bright and able young people using the system, Crowmoor Primary school chose Kelsey Weston from Telford. Kelsey is now working towards her Business Administration NVQ Level 2 and Crowmoor Primary School have been able to choose units which alllow them to tailor the qualification to meet the needs of the school.

Kelsey, who's new role involves general administration support, including receptionist duties, working on a busy reception desk, answering a busy telephone switchboard and dealing with visitors, commented  "Apprenticeship vacancies made it really easy to see the opportunities around and to apply. I was keen to gain work experience but also wanted to achieve further qualifications; my Apprenticeship has meant that I am able to gain both."

Esther Bason, School Business Manager at Crowmoor Primary, commented 'Kelsey really impressed us with her mature and confident manner, at interview she showed she had real initiative". She went on to say "The system made recruiting the right apprentice really easy. I would definitely recommend it to other employers looking to take on an apprentice."

Apprenticeship vacancies has already proved successful for 32 businesses in Shropshire, with 616 youngsters currently on the system looking for vacancies within the county. There are currently 162 Shropshire businesses registered on the system with 24,908 companies registered nationally.

Councillor Stephen Charmley, Portfolio Holder for Culture and Leisure, commented "Businesses across the country are now increasingly realising the enormous benefits that Apprenticeships provide, not only in terms of a highly skilled workforce but also by boosting productivity and staff retention.

He went on to say "Apprenticeship vacancies makes recruiting apprentices really straightforward, it's a quick and reliable 'one-stop shop' where employers can advertise vacancies and individuals can search and apply for Apprenticeship opportunities". 

If you own a business and are interested in taking on an apprentice or are aged between 16 and 18 and would like to do an Apprenticeship, contact County Training on 01743 255191 for more information.