Ladder for Staffordshire: Express & Star campaign creates 150 apprenticeships in just two months

The Express & Star-led campaign has seen tool suppliers Screwfix pledge 32 apprenticeships to the Ladder based at its Stafford site in Shackleton Way.

And ceramics company Portmeirion is to create an extra 12 apprenticeships on top of the 14 positions they have previously pledged.

More than 30 firms have come forward to support the scheme.

South Staffordshire MP Gavin Williamson said: "This is fantastic news and I once again congratulate all involved in this campaign.

"Apprenticeships are vitally important to continuing the economic success and growth we are seeing.

"Each apprenticeship will make a difference to a young person's life, meaning 150 lives are changing and benefitting their lives.

"I think it should be rolled out across the country."

As part of the Ladder for Staffordshire, the Express & Star has teamed up with training provider Performance Through People (PTP) and the Vine Trust, a pioneering charity dedicated to get young people into work.

Also on board is the Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce and Staffordshire County Council and Stoke-on-Trent City Council.

PTP business development director Gill Durkin said: "To hit the 150 mark in just two months is brilliant.

"We are finding a lot of support in Staffordshire and a lot of people want to get involved.

"We are pleased to welcome a large employer on board like Screwfix and are delighted that Portmeirion are taking on more."

Sam Pearce, HR manager at the Stoke pottery, said: "We don't employ an apprentice just to tick that box – we employ apprentices because there is a full time position within the business for them. We want them to join the company and stay with us, and so we have developed our apprenticeship scheme to include mentoring from other employees."

The Ladder for Staffordshire campaign is backed by the Duke of York and comes off the back of the success of the Ladder for the Black Country which has created 650 apprenticeships for young people in the past year.

The campaign has been supported by Prime Minister David Cameron, Chancellor George Osborne, and former Bank of England governor Mervyn King.

Unemployment in Staffordshire is below the national average but we want to help the county to a fully-employed workforce.

Both young people interested in apprenticeships and businesses looking to take on apprentices can call the Ladder for Staffordshire.

For more information about the Ladder for Staffordshire, email apprenticeships@ladderforstaffordshire.co.uk, go to ladderforstaffordshire.co.uk or call 03332 409699.