Our new apprentice ladder right on cue

The companies are offering to take on 17 young people following the launch of the apprenticeship campaign in the Express & Star bringing the grand total – after just three weeks – to 153.

French polishing, making bus seats and restoring snooker cues are among the latest exciting opportunities now available thanks to the launch of the campaign which has the Duke of York as its patron.

And as well as a host of apprenticeships already pledged, the campaign has seen some 217 young people sign up to become apprentices. The Ladder for the Black Country website, www.ladderfortheblackcountry.co.uk, has had a massive 1,900 hits in the three weeks.

The Express & Star has teamed up with a number of key partners including Walsall-based charity the Vine Trust, training provider Performance Through People and the Black Country Chamber of Commerce to help tackle the youth unemployment crisis in the region. The Black Country has some of the longest dole queues in the country.

More than 20 training providers have also signed up in support of the campaign and to help train the young apprentices.

Offering a job with a difference is Cradley Heath-based B & W Billiards is looking for an apprentice craftsman to learn about all aspects of manufacturing and restoring billiard and snooker cues.

The company's Thomas Westwood said: "We're looking for somebody who can work in our workshop, learning a range of woodworking skills.

"We've had difficulty finding the right people. We get lots of people who say they are interested in it, but it's hard finding the person that is right for the job."

Homeserve Furniture Repairs in Brierley Hill is also offering an opportunity for somebody to learn specialist skills in furniture restoration.

Sales manager Terry Lane said the right candidate would get the chance to learn skills including french polishing and oil and wax finishing, which are increasingly rare.

"With everything being made in China, these traditional finishing skills are dying out, and we find it quite hard to recruit the right people," he said.

The company is also looking for a second apprentice to work in administration and stock management.

Neil Jones, of Travelstar European Travel, said he was looking for an apprentice office administrator, who would in time get the opportunity to progress with the company.

"We're looking for somebody who is eager, looking to grow a bit with the business," he said.

"The role should allow the candidate to diversify into other roles within the business over the long term, with opportunity for further training."

He said it was the first time the company, which organises coach trips around Europe, had ever recruited an apprentice.

"It's quite an exciting venture, we're all just one big team here, everyone supports one another and it is a very friendly environment."

Stourbridge-based Cushillo Personnel decided to take on an apprentice office administrator after taking on 25-year-old Kimberley Holloway on work experience.

Managing director Jason Connon said: "We have never gone down the apprenticeship route before.

"But we had Kimberley here, and we thought it would be ideal if we could take her on as an apprentice and offer her a job.

"We do work with different organisations trying to find work for young people, but we're expanding ourselves."

Kingswinford-based Phoenix Seating, which manufactures seats for vehicles, is looking for four new apprentices to work in its factory on the Pensnett Estate.

Jane James of the Evergreen hair salon in Pendeford Avenue, Claregate, Wolverhampton, is also looking to take on a trainee.

Midland Fencing solutions in Winchester Road, Fordhouses, Wolverhampton, and Reva IT services and Electra Engineering in Charlton Drive, Cradley Heath, are also looking for new recruits, along with Bilston water company Nant Ltd, and In Touch With Ltd.

Deputy editor Diane Davies said: "It is wonderful to see so many firms stepping up to offer a future to young people and helping tackle the youth unemployment blight in this industry. Whether it is 20, five or just one apprentice that is helping to create the workforce of tomorrow. I would urge other firms to do whatever they can and invite young people looking for work to give the campaign a call."

Any firms who would be willing to take on an apprentice or young people looking to get onto a career path and into work should log on to www.ladderfortheblackcountry.co.uk or ring 03332 409 699.