First five step onto the ladder – say hello to the new Express & Star apprentices

These are the five new editorial apprentices taken on by the Express & Star to lead the way in our Ladder for the Black Country campaign.

Mat Growcott, 24, Becky Weaver, 21, Jamie Brassington, 21, Tom Oakley, 19, and Joe Edwards, 17, all started work with the Express & Star at its Queen Street headquarters in Wolverhampton on Monday.

The scheme is being run in conjunction with City of Wolverhampton College and its highly-rated journalism course. They will spend their week working alongside and learning from the journalists who put together Britain's biggest-selling regional newspaper.

From news reporting to page design, to reporting on the region's sporting events and using the latest digital forums to deliver the news, the scheme will give the apprentices an all-round grounding in journalism. The 18-month course will see the apprentices work towards the NCTJ Level 3 Diploma in Journalism Practice.

At 17, Willenhall lad Joe Edwards is the youngest of our recruits. He is living proof that continuing at school after GCSEs is not the only route to the job of your dreams.

"I was studying A-levels in media, English and PE at Willenhall E-Act Academy. But it really was not for me and I was unable to sit my English exam because of illness. When I saw the Express & Star was taking on apprentices I knew that was what I wanted – it was exactly what I was after.

"I did work experience last year with the sports desk and I learned so much in just a week I cannot wait to see how much I will learn over 18 months."

Jamie Brassington from Sedgley is a former trainee carpenter. After leaving Dormston School he considered going to university, before choosing to train in art and design, and then carpentry.

"I have been looking for the right opportunity and had never quite found it but having the chance to train, get qualified and work on the Express & Star is something completely different.

"I cannot wait to learn news writing skills, how the newspaper is put together and how to run a news website."

Former Idsall School pupil Becky Weaver is bubbling with enthusiasm. After completing training courses in catering, and art and design, the 21-year-old from Shifnal started writing a blog.

"I am all over social media and love following how news is broken on Twitter, Tumblr, YouTube and Facebook," she said.

"I love writing and am passionate about learning how the Express & Star not only produces an award-winning newspaper but also how it engages with social media. I think apprentices are a great thing because you work and train at the same time, get qualifications, giving you a much greater chance of securing a full-time job."

Stafford-born Tom Oakley was studying marketing at Sheffield Hallam but dropped out after a year. He said the apprenticeship had given him a second chance.

"The course really was not for me and it was the right thing to do to drop out after a year. A lot of my friends want to go into journalism and some are on university courses. They are envious because they now have to wait three years before they can even start a job.University isn't right for everyone."

Telford-born Mat Growcott has spent five years trying to make a living as a freelance writer with mixed success.

At 24, the former Phoenix School pupil is the oldest of the quintet. He said: "I started out doing the Writers Bureau course way back in 2009 and anyone who has ever tried working freelance will know it is not always something that can be relied on.

"I have no formal qualifications so when I saw the Express & Star apprenticeship scheme advertised and wanted to grab the opportunity with both hands."

Gail Burton, employer responsive coordinator at the college, said: "Apprenticeships are successful when industry and colleges work and support each other, and I am looking forward to working closely with the Express & Star to help give the reporters of the future the best start in their careers."

Deputy principal Claire Boliver added: "Our journalism course has been named the best performing in the country for the last three years.

"I am delighted that we are building on that success by working with the biggest-selling regional evening newspaper in Britain."