WARRINGTON-based financial firm the TailorMade Group has taken on its second apprentice of the year, after offering its first a permanent position.
TailorMade Group, which specialises in corporate and personal financial planning, teamed up with training provider, Positive Outcomes, to find a new apprentice, following the success of 19-year-old Hong Quach.
Hong, who is studying for a Level Two NVQ in Business and Administration, has proved he has a head for numbers after securing a permanent Administrator role with the company just three months into his apprenticeship.
Tracey Peden, Operations Manager at TailorMade, said: “We are very keen on giving 16 and 17-year-olds a chance to start their careers in finance and have held the Investors in People badge for a number of years, which is something we are very proud of.
“Hong, who we recruited through Positive Outcomes, is the first apprentice we have taken on and he has proved to be a real asset to the company, in fact it’s proved to be such a positive experience we have just welcomed a second apprentice to the company.”
For TailorMade Group, having the opportunity to choose a training course tailored to its requirements and help during the recruitment process was of major benefit to the company.
Tracey added: “Positive Outcomes made the recruitment process much easier for us by selecting suitable candidates to put forward for the role, from which I chose who to interview.
“It’s been a great scheme for us, particularly as a small company, as it has allowed us to ensure Hong has the skills that are required for his role and is able to grow with the company.
“I think we will definitely recruit more apprentices in the future and I have also recommended the scheme to the network of 20 independent businesses and 30 sole traders that we work alongside.”
Hong applied for the apprenticeship at TailorMade Group after deciding the plumbing course he was taking at college wasn’t for him.
Hong said: “I was keen to find an office-based role and was very interested in the idea of earning and learning, so I applied for the apprenticeship; Positive Outcomes were very supportive, helping me to prepare what I would say and how I would dress for the interview.
“It was the best decision I could have made, I’m enjoying every aspect of the job, I can fit the training around my work and it has helped me to feel more confident with taking on new responsibilities – I would encourage more people my age to consider an apprenticeship.”
Administrator Dominic Ball, 19, is the company’s newest apprentice and is also studying for a Level Two NVQ in Business and Administration.
Dominic said: “I knew of TailorMade’s great reputation and I also knew that I wanted to work and learn at the same time, so applied for the apprenticeship straight away.
“I love the role, the whole team has been very welcoming and supportive, and I can already see the massive difference the training is making.
“My advice to other people my age would be to apply for an apprenticeship scheme, because it offers you the best opportunities – employers are looking for candidates who have the qualification and the experience, so it really is the best path you could take.”
The apprenticeships are just a small part of TailorMade’s continuing success which has seen the company create more than 20 new jobs this year.
Find out more about becoming or hiring an apprentice by visiting www.positiveoutcomes.org.uk or calling 0845 643 5566.
Picture shows Hong and Dominic being welcomed by TailorMade directors Alistair Burns (left) and Rob Shaw.
