Apprenticeships in the optical profession remain in the spotlight after a practice in Sale recruited a new apprentice receptionist.
Recent school leaver 17-year-old Savannah Walker-Ellis has joined Maloney Opticians under a scheme in which she and staff at both the practice and national training firm Intraining, will decide whether a Business Administration or Customer Service apprenticeship will suit her skills and goals.
Maloney Opticians approached Intraining after the practice struggled to recruit a suitable receptionist. The company said the idea of taking on an apprentice was new to the practice, but added that the scheme had its own merits, such as a £1,500 government grant for small businesses taking on apprentices for the for the first time.
'We were blown away with the calibre of interviewees that they sent us and the fact that they did everything - at no cost - really helped,' said optometrist Michael John Maloney.
Natalie Burney, learner engagement consultant at Intraining, said: 'At a time when youth unemployment is at an all time high, it's great to be in a position to be able to help those who really want to develop their careers.'
Last week (News 24.08.12), apprenticeship schemes were backed in research carried out by the Forum of Private Business, in which 48 per cent of respondents said they welcomed the government's current focus on apprenticeship schemes over higher education.
