North East Estate Agent Becomes the First to Take on an Apprentice Using New AGE Scheme

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Robinsons’ new employee, 17 year old Yasmin Lazaro from Burnhope in Durham, is the first apprentice in the North East to benefit from the government’s Apprenticeship Grant for Employers (AGE).

The Apprenticeship Grant for Employers (AGE) offers businesses a £2,500 bonus for each 16 or 17 year old they employ as an apprentice. Launched by the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) in January, the initiative is designed to help businesses hire a young person where otherwise they may have struggled.

AGE will see an extra 5,000 16 and 17 year olds in an Apprenticeship by the end of March this year.  There has been excellent take up of the Apprenticeship Grant for Employers in the North East, which means that there are now more than 450 opportunities in the region for young people across a wide range of sectors.

Efforts are now focused on finding suitable 16 and 17 years olds to take up the new Apprenticeship jobs on offer. Eligible young people who would like to follow in Yasmin’s footsteps should contact their local Connexions office.

Terry Hogg, Financial Services Manager at Robinson’s Chester-le-Street branch where Yasmin is based, said: “We found out about the new Apprenticeship Grant for Employers through learning provider Zodiac Training and the whole process has been really straightforward. Zodiac Training helped us to advertise the position via the online Apprenticeship vacancies system and set up interviews to help us find the right recruit.  Now that we’ve appointed Yasmin, they will also oversee her Apprenticeship training too.

“As well as being able to offer Yasmin a job supporting the negotiation and mortgage side of our business, there is the added bonus that she will attain a qualification in Business and Administration.  She will reap the benefits of furthering her education whilst gaining valuable work related skills and being paid a wage.  As for Robinsons, we will also benefit enormously, by taking on someone who can grow within our organisation and learn the skills which are important to the continued success of our business.”

“In fact, we are so impressed with the support we’ve received from Zodiac Training that we’ve already taken on another two apprentices.”

The National Apprenticeship Service believes there has never been a better time for firms to consider Apprenticeships as part of their recruitment strategy.

John Wayman, Regional Director of the National Apprenticeship Service in the North East, said: “Robinson’s has made an excellent business decision in taking on apprentices. Our research shows that firms who take on apprentices have been in great shape to face the downturn. Last year saw a 7% increase in apprentices, that’s 240,000 young people freshly into the jobs market, with the determination to succeed.”

Apprenticeships Minister Iain Wright says: “It is great to see that our grant for businesses has worked so quickly and that the first apprentices to benefit are already beginning their new careers.

“Young people like Yasmin will gain valuable skills and experience whilst also bringing fresh ideas, commitment and enthusiasm to the workplace. That’s why we are supporting businesses to create thousands more Apprenticeship places for young people.”