Beauticians take on new AGE apprentice

BEXHILL Beauticians, The Beauty Haven have become the first business in the area to take on an apprentice using the new AGE scheme.

Beauty Haven's newest employee, Holly Grimes, is the first apprentice in Bexhill-on-Sea to benefit from the government's Apprenticeship Grant for Employers (AGE).

Launched in January AGE offers businesses a 2,500 bonus for each 16 or 17 year old they employ as an apprentice.

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The initiative is designed to help businesses hire a young person where otherwise they may have struggled and is in addition to the costs of training which is met by the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS).

Beauty Haven offers beauty and holistic therapy treatments and owner Tracey Wollaston said the AGE scheme is a great initiative:

"The employer grant has been an excellent opportunity for us and Holly to build a relationship - which may not have otherwise been possible in this current climate."

Holly's beautician apprenticeship will take two years and includes training at Hastings recently opened Sussex Coast College.

Holly said she is delighted with the scheme:

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"Doing an apprenticeship is a great way to learn as you gain more knowledge and it gives you good experience. Its also great to work withina friendly team environment."

AGE will see an extra five thousand 16 and 17 year olds in an apprenticeship by the end of March 2010: providing sixty two opportunities in Sussex for young people in sectors including business administration, engineering, care and retail.

Rachel McKellar Regional Director of the South East NAS said:

"Beauty Haven has made an excellent business decision in taking on an apprentice. Last year saw a 7% increase in apprentices, that's 240,000 young people freshly into the jobs market with the determination to succeed."

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The NAS believes there has never been a better time for firms to consider apprenticeships as part of their recruitment strategy and say they have had an excellent response from employers wanting to take advantage of the Apprenticeship Grant.

Efforts are now focused on finding 5,000 suitable 16 and 17 years olds to take up the new apprenticeship jobs on offer.

Apprenticeships Minister Iain Wright said:

"It is great to see that our grant for businesses has worked so quickly and that the first apprentices to benefit are already beginning their new careers.

"Young people like Holly will gain valuable skills and experience whilst also bringing fresh ideas, commitment and enthusiasm to the workplace. That's why we are supporting businesses to create thousands more apprenticeship places for young people."

To find out more about Apprenticeships, visit the website at:

www.apprenticeships.org.uk or call 08000 150 600

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