Youngsters urged to beat the post-exam rush

MORE than 175 apprenticeships are waiting to be snapped up by youngsters looking to start work after their exams this summer, it has been revealed.

School-leavers in Devon and Cornwall are being urged to avoid the post-exam rush and think now about securing an apprenticeship in their chosen career, and not wait until September.

Mark Boulting, managing director of Plymouth-based Skills Group, said: “Learners are in the driving seat right now. We have around 175 vacancies, it is the most we ever have had.”

With so many vacancies, employers are looking to provide more competitive packages to offer apprentices, including increased wages.

Mr Boulting said: “Employers are having to become more competitive in setting their apprenticeship start times and wages. Many are offering more than the minimum apprenticeship wage to ensure they get the right candidate.

“What we are encouraging young leavers to do is look at finding a position now, but to start later. A lot of youngsters are concerned about accepting a position or going to an interview now, because they have not left school yet. However, in June and July they are competing against thousands of others.

“Businesses are looking to interview and recruit now but are willing to wait until youngsters have left school and even after the summer break, if the youngsters want. Employers will draw up a written agreement for a future start date because there are so many vacancies and they are desperate to get the right type of leaver. Learners can still have their summer holiday but have an apprenticeship start date in place.”

The 175 vacancies include jobs in the business, care and early years, engineering and automotive, hair, and sport and leisure sectors. But the biggest availability is in construction with 65 vacancies.

Mr Boulting said: “The construction industry is still hard to fill, particularly bricklaying. We are filling posts but more keep coming in. This is due to current optimism within the building industry and the number of new projects getting off the ground over the next year.”

To find out more about the vacancies available, contact Skills Group on 0845 319 4343 or log on to the website www.apprenticeships4me.com