19-year-old says that she has built up some excellent business knowledge since August 2011 THE benefits of the apprenticeship system – as championed by the Worcester News 100 in 100 campaign – are evident from the success of Jade King, who has been taken on as a finance apprentice with Worcester-based community association Sanctuary Group at its headquarters in Castle Street. Nineteen-year-old Miss King, who lives in Worcester, had completed a BTEC National Diploma in sports and exercise sciences before going on to study a physiotherapy degree at Coventry University. A month into the course, she felt that university wasn’t for her and decided to go back to work while thinking about her next step. Knowing that she was interested in housing and administration work, she investigated available jobs through Connexions, the not for profit skills and career guidance service. This put her in touch with the Worcestershire Group Training Association which matched her skills to an apprenticeship opportunity at leading housing and care provider Sanctuary Group.

After a successful interview Miss King started at Sanctuary’s Worcester office in August 2011. She said: “I was also offered an apprenticeship at another company, but chose Sanctuary because of the opportunities that were available.” Miss King is based in the finance department and assists with a wide variety of administrative duties. She attends the WGTA training centre every Monday to study for her NVQ level two in business and administration. Once she has completed to a level three advanced apprenticeship. She said: “Since starting my apprenticeship, I feel more confident and I have built up some excellent business knowledge.

“I really enjoy working here. If I had known more left school, I would have applied for one with Sanctuary straight away as I had heard positive things about the company."

The Worcester News 100 in 100 campaign aims to sign up 100 companies to take on apprentices in 100 days and is already gaining momentum after its launch in March.