“I thought about going to university but I knew that when I graduated I’d still have to look for a job and I’d be in a lot of debt, so an apprenticeship seemed the ideal way for me to gain a qualification, get some work experience and be paid,” said 19-year-old Sophie Hammond who is a business apprentice at steel stockholders Hall and Pickles in Wombourne.
Sophie added: “What I’m learning at college – such as scanning documents, making phone calls and sales techniques – is really useful at work and, after we recently covered health and safety, when I go into the warehouse I know what equipment there should be and how and to whom accidents or incidents should be reported to.
“Being at work is completely different to being at school but the apprenticeship is still enabling me to learn – it was definitely the right choice for me!”
Sophie’s manager, Claire Caldwell, herself a former apprentice at the company, added: “Apprenticeships are the best way for young people to get into work and, from a company’s point of view, enables you to help them develop the skills that the business needs.”
