Technology Company Upgrades with Second Apprentice

A Redcar-based technology firm has upgraded its workforce by hiring a second apprentice through the region's largest independent apprenticeship provider.

Castle Grange Technologies Ltd has recently taken on North East Chamber of Commerce (NECC) apprentice Sophie Lyth, to follow in the footsteps of a previous successful NECC apprentice.

18-year old Sophie from Redcar was taken on as a Business Administration apprentice at the beginning of the year and has settled into her new role incredibly well.

Sophie follows in the footsteps of the business' first NECC apprentice, 18-year old Ryan McElvaney, who was also taken on as a Business Administration apprentice by Managing Director Mike Preece in 2010, in response to the level of youth unemployment in the region.

Mike Preece said:

"At a seminar two years ago I found out about the astronomical level of young people out of work that couldn't find a job in Redcar and Cleveland.

"From that point we decided, as a company, we would focus on our social responsibility and we now employ two apprentices.

"Young people are really adaptable, and quickly pick up new skills that match with the needs of the business.

"With the growth of the company, and identifying the requirement in the business administration department, this was the perfect opportunity to employ another apprentice."



Figures released recently indicate that there has been a dramatic 45% increase in the number of apprenticeship start-ups across the North East in the last 12 months, thanks to the support of companies such as Castle Grange Technologies.

Mike was delighted to welcome Sophie to the team and it is expected she will be another highly successful member of the business.

Mike added:

"I am genuinely amazed at how young people can learn so quickly.

"In the short time that Sophie has been with us she is already invoicing, filing remittances, putting purchase orders on from suppliers, sending out mail and answering the telephones politely to our customers and suppliers. She is picking things up quickly and is capable of learning a lot more."

After spending a year in college completing her AS Levels, Sophie decided that college was not her best option and decided to work towards and apprenticeship.

She said:

"An Apprenticeship was the best option for me as I wanted to learn in a working environment. I wanted to get straight into a job and learn from inside a business rather than going to college and university.

"It provides qualifications that are useful in the particular apprenticeship discipline you choose, which then puts you in a better position, after you finish your apprenticeship, to develop your career."

Sophie now feels she has settled into her new role well and is finding the experience very enjoyable.
She added:

"I am really enjoying working at Castle Grange, it is a very professional business and I am gradually beginning to pick tasks up. I am also beginning to understand the ins and outs of how a business works and my main role. I still have much to learn, but look forward to the challenges ahead."

And the business, which specialises in the supply and fit of audio visual equipment, is now looking to add a third apprentice to its ranks, to develop the business engineering team.

NECC offers Apprenticeships in a range of vocational disciplines, from Business Administration and Accountancy to Engineering and Dental Nursing.

To find out more about NECC Apprenticeships and how your business could benefit, call 0300 303 6322 or visit www.necc.co.uk/apprenticeships