Elliotts has announced plans to recruit seven new apprentices this year after successfully nurturing four local candidates into full time employment during 2014-15.
Elliotts is the South’s leading independent building merchant with 13 branches located across the south of England and employs over 280 members of staff, all dedicated to building relationships and delivering excellent customer service.
Last year’s apprentices, Sam Bull, Georgia Morris, Bradley Gale and Joshua Isles worked to serve customers and learn their trade in tool centres and builders merchant branches across the South and have all now secured full time employment at Elliotts. Georgia Morris was even named as a finalist in the Family Business Apprentice of the Year Awards 2015. The award recognised her efforts for going above and beyond her role and highlights Elliotts’ commitment to its next generation of employees.
After taking on apprentices for the first time last year, Elliotts has now expanded the scheme to welcome customer service apprentices across seven branches and tool centres including: Portsmouth tool centre, Winchester tool centre, Totton, Fordingbridge, Bishops Waltham and Chandlers Ford.
HR manager, Mireille Nicholson said: “We've found that the apprenticeship scheme has been beneficial for everyone involved. The apprentices got to learn while they earned and it proved to be a very viable alternative to A-levels and university for them. Their mentors loved having them in the store, providing fresh ideas and giving members of staff a chance to pass on their own knowledge.
“We are facing a challenge industry-wide to attract younger people to work in the builders merchants sector. We are keen to develop local school and college leavers, offering them room for progression upon completion of their apprenticeship. If they have previous customer service skills it would be a bonus, but ultimately we are looking for people with a willingness to put the Elliotts customer first.”
Embedded into its heritage and work ethic for over 173 years, Elliotts is dedicated to providing the trade and public with a relentless focus on customer service. It is through this belief that Elliotts is keen to develop young, local talent within its tailored apprenticeship schemes.
The apprenticeships last for one year and training is provided by DIDAC, allowing the young people to work towards nationally recognised qualifications and develop professional, industry-recognised skills whilst earning a wage. Over the course of 12 months, assessors attend the various branches to train and develop candidates, which means all development is done on site, saving the apprentices travel costs and time. Most importantly candidates will receive real life experience of working in a builders merchants.
To find out more about Elliotts visit www.elliotts.uk
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