New campaign launched to recruit Gloucestershire apprentices

Hairdresser Sasha Hone, 19, spoke with passion about how training had transformed her life at the launch of a new 100inONEHUNDRED apprentice challenge campaign.

Sasha, who works for Stuart Holmes Hair and BeautySpa in Cheltenham, said: "My training has been brilliant. It has allowed me to be more professional and boosted my confidence."

She addressed an event at Gloucester campus of Gloucestershire College when more than 50 business men and women gathered to celebrated the success of the first 100inONEHUNDRED apprentice challenge-and the launch of a second campaign.

The Citizen and Echo together with Gloucestershire College unveiled the first campaign in March and it was an overwhelming success.

Citizen Editor Ian Mean said county companies had registered 123 new apprenticeships-far in excess of the 100 apprentice target. This had prompted the decision to launch a new 100inONE apprentice challenge campaign.

"Our target is 130 in the next 100 days," said Mr Mean. "I am passionate about apprenticeships."

He singled out Annabel Rayer who trained as a reporter on The Citizen and had gone on run her own public relations company Silver Ball which specialises in travel and leisure.

Mr Mean said such was the success of the Gloucestershire apprentices campaign that other Northcliffe newspapers in Bristol, Bath and Yeovil had decided to run similar initiatives.

Greg Smith, Principal of Gloucestershire College said: "It was an incredible achievement. It will change the lives of many young people."

Sir Henry Elwes, Lord Lieutenant of Gloucestershire urged county businesses to support the new apprentices campaign.

"The first apprenticeship campaign was the most astonishing success," he said. "Wise employees realise that good skills are the key to successful business.

"I think the new 100inONEHUNDRED campaign is a huge challenge but I know that Gloucestershire will go for it."

Gloucester MP Richard Graham supported the campaign and said the Coalition Government would do all it could to promote apprenticeships.

He told the business people at the event: "I think there are lots more employers out there who are going to see the light like you have."

Brian Marsh, training manager with Wotton-under-Edge engineering company Renishaw said apprentices were the life blood of the company.

"This year we are taking on 15 engineering apprentices and we are looking at five more in software. It has been invaluable to us.

"Our apprentices over the 25 years we have been running the scheme have been incredibly loyal. They tend to giver you a very good return on your investment."

Sasha Hone of Stuart Holmes Hair and Beauty Spa said the NVQs she had gained in hairdressing had helped her give the best service to clients.

"My training has been brilliant throughout my time at Stuart Holmes."

And the company's founder and owner Stuart Holmes said that at 36 he had gain an NVQ.

"It is great and has opened the doors to so many things," he said.

We will be running regular features on companies who have taken on apprentices over the next 100 days. To sign up to the scheme contact Michelle Louth on 01452 563216 or email michelle.louth@gloscol.ac.uk