WORCESTERSHIRE businesses are backing a new, unique apprenticeship scheme aimed at giving young people the chance to start a career.

Accountants TLA Business Services in King Street, Worcester and digital marketing agency Incontrol Marketing Ltd of Station Road, Evesham are just two which have signed up to the programme launched by Skillwise, the UK apprenticeship provider, in conjunction with Entrepreneurs Circle, a national body that helps small enterprises grow.

The are taking on trainees on the Skillwise / Entrepreneurs Circle Apprenticeship Programme, which is training young people in social media, business administration and marketing. It is supported by some of the country’s leading entrepreneurs including Nigel Botterill, of the Entrepreneurs Circle, and former BBC The Apprentice contestant Katie Bulmer-Cooke.

Nigel Busby, director, of Incontrol Marketing Ltd, said: “As soon as we saw the details about this unique, new apprenticeship programme we knew it was right for us. It enables us to focus on growing our business and have the business administration, social media and marketing support from a bright trainee. It’s great to be able to give a young person a chance to begin building a career with support from our own business, Skillwise and the Entrepreneurs Circle.”

The apprentices have already begun a 10-week traineeship, including a two-week residential at one of the Skillwise Academies centres, where they will learn how to deliver marketing and social media support for their new employers, attaining a Level 1 certification in business administration when they complete the course. They will then return to the businesses for eight weeks before returning for another two-week intensive residential programme before starting their 12-month apprenticeship programme.

If learners complete all the courses, they will attain a host of accredited qualifications, including an NVQ level two in business administration and marketing, introduction to copywriting certificate, advanced social media certificate and EC post-graduate certificates in business essentials, social media and marketing.

Nick Williams, director of Skillwise, added: "The response to the EC apprenticeship programme has been phenomenal. These are ambitious small companies that are keen to grow and are attracted by this exciting and innovative scheme that will help young people develop a career in the dynamic and competitive worlds of social media, business administration and marketing.

“Not only will these entrepreneurs have the opportunity to harness the new apprentices’ skills, they will benefit from solid support in an area that is often neglected when owners are too busy trying to build their business.”

For more details about the scheme, young people and parents can go to mynewapprentice.co.uk/dreamjob Most businesses will be eligible for government grants of between £1,500 and £3,000 towards the £6,000 annual cost of employing an apprentice. Applicants, who must have at least maths and English GCSE at a minimum C grade, will be hand-picked by the participating businesses. After the initial 10-week training, which businesses do not pay for, apprentices will work for 30 hours a week and will receive a weekly wage of between £100 and £200. At the end of the 14-month programme, businesses can take on their apprentice full time at the appropriate market rate.