Two seventeen year olds have benefited from an Apprenticeship Scheme which offers wage support to employers in small and medium sized businesses.

Apprentices Levi Murphy and Jack Davies, both from Newmarket, have been taken on as Warehousing Apprentices by the Newmarket Open Door charity under the WLSP (West Suffolk Local Strategic Partnership) Scheme.

John Durrant, the charity’s General Manager said: “The WLSP Scheme has helped the charity as much as the Apprentices, helping young people into employment and training and putting something back into the community. Without the financial help of the wage subsidy this would not have been possible for us.”

Steven Maddox, Operations Manager, said: “The Apprentices are an asset to the scheme and great ambassadors for the charity. They are eager to help and learn.”

Levi Murphy said: “I am glad to have been given the opportunity to work for the charity and gain a recognised qualification at the same time.”

Michelle Gibson, scheme coordinator, said: “I have been working closely with the charity over the last few months and the commitment of the staff, to helping young people and the community is outstanding. I am proud to be working in partnership with them.”

The scheme is an excellent example of a partnership of public services, voluntary organisations and businesses.

The scheme is available in the following council districts: Forest Heath, St Edmundsbury and East Babergh. For further information contact Michelle Gibson, Project Co-ordinator, on 01284 716388 or e-mail michelle.gibson@wsc.ac.uk

For more information about the Newmarket Open Door charity, visit their website.