Sponsored by
Company puts faith in its young talent
A YORKSHIRE firm has told 17 young apprentices "you're hired".
Castleford-based Help-Link, founded 10 years ago, specialises in the installation of renewable technologies and provides central heating, electrical and plumbing services to local authorities and the public.
Since its foundation the firm's original team of seven has grown to a staff of more than 150, boosted annually with a June intake of young apprentices.
Director Neil Barron said this year would be no different. Despite the credit crunch, the Castleford company has maintained a turnover of 8m and continues to invest in its future.
"For us, sustaining growth means continuing to employ and develop the best staff in the business," said Mr Barrron. "Apprentices with an eagerness to learn and a genuine aptitude for the job add great value to our company.
Once considered an option for only non-academics, the career potential offered by apprenticeships is now acknowledged as an alternative to standard higher education, with the benefits of the skills and training acquired translating into an estimated additional 100,000 income over an average working lifespan.
Mr Barron said: "After only five years service, a qualified heating engineer for example can expect to earn between 400 – 800 per week, an impressive salary for someone in their early 20s."
More than 70 school leavers and young people who have lost their apprenticeships elsewhere because of the downturn, applied for Help-Link's training scheme this year.
The chosen 17 will now embark on a two-year course that combines college study and on-the-job training at Help-Link.
Mr Barron said: "We have invested more than 10,000 in providing the additional tools because we want our apprentices to have real ownership of their work, and learn alongside our senior engineers rather than simply observe.
"At the end of the two years, we are then able to pick the most promising apprentices and offer them full time jobs."
Among Help-Link's success stories is Joe Burdon, who joined the company in 2005 as a heating engineer apprentice on block release with Leeds College of Building. Four years on he is a highly regarded member of the team with the customer facing role of supervising surveyor.
Following in Joe's footsteps is 18-year-old Rachel Nichol who was among 11 school leavers chosen from 58 applicants in 2007. She joined the company with an NVQ level 1 in Plumbing and will become a qualified heating engineer this summer.
Email to a friend
Print this page- Leeds United: Whites ponder next move in hunt for new manager LATEST
- Web poll: Who is to blame for Leeds United’s league position? VOTE HERE
- Leeds United: Time for Ken Bates and Co to listen up
- Leeds man remanded on sister murder charge UPDATED
- Leeds United: Aston Villa boss drops hint on Fabian Delph
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Leeds
Sunday 12 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 0 C to 5 C
Wind Speed: 7 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 4 C to 8 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: North west
