Dan Richardson embarked on his career in construction with an apprenticeship with award winning housebuilder Yuill Homes. Sixteen-year-old Dan Richardson, who lives in Whitby, landed the job after being recommended by the North East Apprenticeship Company.

 

Dan, a former Whitby Community College pupil had been looking to learn a trade but wanted to secure a career which offered proper training and enables him to gain an industry recognised qualification. As part of his apprenticeship with the North East Apprenticeship Company, Dan will be working with the Yuill Homes team at its 68 the former dairy in Whitby's White Leys Road, where it is developing 68 affordable homes for Broadacres Housing Association. Dan will also be working towards gaining his NVQ Level II in Bricklaying at Redcar and Cleveland College, which will equip him with the training, skills and a qualification to secure a long term career in the building industry.

 

Dan, who found out about working with Yuill through the North East Apprenticeship Company  website, said: “I’m definitely looking forward to completing my apprenticeship and becoming a qualified bricklayer – it’s what I’ve always wanted to do.”

 

Andrew Pegg from Yuill Homes, said: “We are very keen to recruit young people on our sites and the North East Apprenticeship Company has helped us to achieve this in Whitby. We’re delighted that Dan will be working with us.”

 

Sixteen-year-old Louise Todd, from Tyneside has joined two organisations as a business and administration apprentice. Louise is a shared apprentice and spends her time between the North East Apprenticeship Company and Gateshead College’s Greenhouse Brasserie,.

In her roles, Louise spends two days a week with the North East Apprenticeship Company where she supports the day-to-day running of the office. As an apprentice for Greenhouse Brasserie Louise she assists in the delivery of  various marketing activities and restuarant events whilst working towards an NVQ Level 2 in Business Administration at Gateshead College.

By combining her workplace training with classroom studies Louise says, "This is a great opportunity as I can get involved in lots of interesting things and learn skills I’d never get if I was just in a classroom all day, every day. I just wanted to get as much work experience as possible."

Seventeen-year-old Katie Simpson, cut a new career for herself after being chosen for a placement at top Monkseaton hairdressers V Salon. Vanessa Peters, who has been a hairdresser for 28 years and has hired many junior hairdressers in this time said: “Katie is everything I was looking for in an apprentice. She is well turned out and her etiquette is excellent. So I was please to select her for this apprenticeship opportunity.”

Katie began sixth form after her GCSEs and quickly realised she wasn’t enjoying it. She became interested in hairdressing through her stepmother, who is also in the trade, and a work experience placement arranged through school. She said: “When I started sixth form I knew I wasn’t enjoying it. I wanted to do something that was ‘more me’. The apprenticeship is exactly what I was looking for because I prefer to work and learn at the same time.”

Katie will qualify with an in NVQ in hairdressing by combining work at the Crawford Place salon and attending Gateshead College. She added “I would tell other young people to look at an apprenticeship if they aren‘t happy with the route they‘ve chosen. I‘m really pleased I did, it suits me much better.”

After a regional hunt to find the perfect apprentice Danny Cox was given the opportunity to be a falconer.

Eighteen-year-old Danny Cox, from Berwick,  was hired for the unusual, apprenticeship offered by the Barn at Beal after been recommended by the North East Apprenticeship Company (NEAC).

Danny will be working alongside head falconer Andy Howey, who will help teach him how to train and care for the 12 species of birds kept at the Barn, along side the apprenticeship training provider. He will work towards gaining an apprenticeship in Animal Care and will be taught how to feed, fly and weigh the birds to keep them in the best condition for the workshops and events they are used for.

Andy, who mentors Danny says “We chose Danny for many reasons. Not only is he very enthusiastic but also a nice lad, polite and not afraid to speak to people, which is vital in this role. He clearly has a passion for animals and their care and has done some related study at college. I’m starting him off with the basics such as cleaning and feeding and from there we will work him up to the other parts of animal husbandry. I want to teach him all aspects of the job so that he is confident. This will help him develop his career as a falconer.”

The Barn at Beal, near Lindisfarne, keeps the ancient rural skill of falconry alive with the birds of prey centre which started two years ago with only a handful of birds and now boasts 12 different species and 22 birds in total and a team of four staff.

Danny says: “I had heard about the apprenticeship when my neighbour saw it on the news. It is exactly what I had in mind when I was at college. These sorts of jobs, with training provided, don’t come up very often, so I applied straight away.

“I love it. I’m really enjoying working outside and the responsibility is something I’m relishing. When I get home at night, I know I’ve done something good and worthwhile.

“Also, I’m really looking forward to learning from Andy, who has vast experience of working with birds of prey. I would also like to thank the NEAC for putting me forward for the job.”

Ryan Thompson (right in the picture) was selected by an expanding domestic and trade kitchen manufacturer D&S Kitchens.  His apprenticeship will last three years and D&S Kitchens will be training him on how to design and build kitchen cabinets as well as learning about other aspects of the industry such as sales. In addition, Ryan will be undertaking a NVQ Level 2 in Joinery at his local College.

“After my GCSEs and sixth form I was uncertain about what to do, so I looked into the possibility of learning a trade. I’m really excited about joining D&S Kitchens as an apprentice joiner. This will really allow me to kick start my career”

“The North East Apprenticeship Company have been really helpful. It’s great that there is a service that exists for people like me who want to get on and learn new skills and career.”

Steve Hair, who also owns a construction business, said that Ryan impressed at interview and will become the only apprentice employed in his kitchen company.

Apprentices Steven Wrench 21 from Billingham and Daniel Price 18 from Ashington were amongst several other candidates sent for an interview to their host company Bell Truck and Van. Both Steven and Daniel impressed the employer and were offered the apprenticeship.

 

Bell Truck and Van a reputable North East based Mercedes-Benz dealer have hosted both apprentices for a period of 12 months allowing them to gain new skills and experiences and have now decided to take them on as their own employees.

 

Both Steven and Daniel have shown commitment and drive in the first 12 months of their apprenticeship and are delighted with the decision of their host employer to offer them a permanent position within the company. Both apprentices are very keen to progress a career with this expanding company.

 

Steven and Daniel will still be attending training sessions with their training provider Milltech Training in Sunderland to complete their NVQ level 2 in Vehicle Parts Operations. They both feel that the training has been extremely useful to their occupation and has taught them additional skills which they have been able to introduce into their roles.

16 year old Louise Todd is looking forward to a greener future, after sigining up to be North East Apprenticeship Company's (NEAC) Green Champion after she completes her training.

Working in partnership with Gateshead College and the Environmental Academy, Louise will be learning how to help her team to find new ways of reducing thier carbon footprint.

Louise says "Everyone needs to take on full responsibility for the environment. My generation needs to be aware of how much impact our behaviour can have". 

Or if you are eager to apply click here and remember to tick the 'Green Apprenticeships' box!