Published on: Monday, 14 March 2016
Last updated: Wednesday, 5 October 2016
A team of 10 apprentices are on track for successful new careers after being selectedto join train operator Abellio Greater Anglia.
The operator has launched a bespoke scheme for18 to 24 year-old applicants not previously in employment, education ortraining which will see the new recruits work in various roles across thecompany’s customer service department while completing a Level 2 NVQ qualification.
Recruited through skills specialist Ingeus,the new starters will be based in Norwich where their exciting journey willintroduce them to a range of roles over the next 12 months including working inthe ticket office, on the platforms dispatching trains and as part of the trainpresentation team.
The 10 successful recruits were amongstmore than 150 applicants for the apprenticeships. They will receive one-to-onetraining while working in the company’s customer service department at Norwich,earning a wage while gaining recognised qualifications and on-the-job skills.
Bryony Bridgewater, 19, from Gorleston inNorfolk was unemployed for two years before being recruited onto theapprenticeship, which is her first ever job.
Having moved from London, Bryony found ithard to get to know anyone in the local area, and even harder to find work withno experience to offer employers. With Ingeus’s support she successfullyprepared and applied for the newly launched Abellio apprenticeship scheme andalong with nine other talented recruits couldn’t be more excited about gettingher career back on track.
“I am keen to learn and wanted a customerservice role but got nowhere applying for apprenticeships on my own. Ingeusreally helped, and even if I hadn’t got the job, I thought I’d come a reallylong way in building my confidence and employability skills,” Bryony said.
Fellow apprentice Reece Orford, 21, fromCostessey, said: “I moved back to the UK from Canada in 2010 and have sinceworked as a business administrator. I wanted to join Abellio Greater Angliabecause the apprenticeship offers so much scope for progression.”
Ingeus is a leading employability skillsprovider which provides fee-free recruitment and skills services to nationaland regional employers. It worked closely with Abellio Greater Anglia todevelop the comprehensive recruitment and apprenticeship programme as CatherineProsser, National Employer Services Team Manager at Ingeus explains:
“Ingeus advertised the opportunity,processed the applications and organised bespoke recruitment days on behalf ofAbellio Greater Anglia. We have sourced some really talented young people whojust needed the right opportunity to show their skills and motivation to work.We are now supporting the induction of the new recruits and will be assessingthe apprentices’ progress throughout every step of the programme.”
Andrew Goodrum, Customer Service Directorat Abellio Greater Anglia, said: “We are very pleased to welcome our newapprentices. This customised training course will offer a range oftransferrable skills. The railway is a great place to work with a wealth ofopportunities and fantastic benefits. We already operate a very successfulengineering apprenticeship and this new scheme will help strengthen ourcustomer service department.”
The apprentices’ appointment coincides withNational Apprenticeship Week which runs from 14 to 18 March and celebratesapprenticeships and the positive impact they have on individuals, businessesand the wider economy.