YOUNG people in Redditch marked National Apprenticeship Week by starting their new course.
Five youngsters are joining the Oakland Apprentice team in finance and accounts, IT and strategic network planing.
Head of talent development Kate Hewitt, having worked at Oakland for seven years, is now undertaking a level five coaching qualification funded by the Apprenticeship Levy and equivalent to a foundation degree.
She said: “National Apprenticeships are a fantastic way to develop and progress careers as each apprentice receives quality training at the same time as earning a wage and, with the variety of course options available, they are an amazing way to learn new skills with every day a school day.
“They have a huge part to play in a business succession planning with our finance and IT teams having already benefited over the years from apprenticeships, supporting team members from initial foundation training stage and continued personal development, through to career progression and organisational and developmental growth.
“Oakland believes in the value apprenticeships bring and the difference they can make to both individuals and organisations alike.
“Apprenticeships aren’t just for school leavers but for everyone, at any age, as gaining valuable skills that add value to a business, build and expand professional networks, also helps to increase personal confidence and delivers new and exciting opportunities.”
The apprentices joining the team are Alex Wheate and James Smith as finance and accounts apprentices.
Patrick Giordan has recently moved from their warehousing team into IT and has commenced his level three ICT.
Previously Christian Stokes, now a management accountant, and Jordan Rollins, now a strategic network planner, originally joined Oakland International on the apprenticeship scheme.
