30 vacancies in 30 days – helping Essex youngsters into work

Career opportunities to learn and earn are on offer to school and college leavers in Essex, with 30 apprenticeships being advertised throughout November.

The 30 vacancies in 30 days include work in digital marketing, IT, business administration, sales and customer service. They are offered by employers across the county including Basildon, Braintree, Colchester, Southend, Thurrock and Romford.

National employment and skills specialist Seetec is promoting the opportunities for young people to gain the qualifications, skills and experience to help them progress in the workplace.

Seetec’s Head of Apprenticeship Operations, Nikki Bardsley, explained: “Apprenticeships are a great way to start a career as they offer the flexibility of studying towards a professional qualification while earning a salary.

“They’re also an ideal opportunity for employers to develop the talent they need to bridge their skills gaps and equip their business for future growth. Seetec’s Group Managing Director, John Baumback, started with the company 30 years ago as an apprentice, so we practise what we preach.”

Southend United recently decided to increase its marketing, and turned to Seetec to recruit talented 18-year-old Callum Bishop as a Digital Marketing Apprentice. Head of Commercial, Rhys Ellingham, explained: “Following the interview stages Callum was the perfect candidate for the role, giving himself the opportunity to further enhance his digital skills whilst also helping the commercial department move forward and increase revenue with his social media, website and video input.”

Seetec also offers ‘Enhanced Apprenticeships’ which provide additional support to young people who lack the experience or confidence to secure employment. With dedicated tutor and advisor support, young people gain a qualification, CV and interview preparation skills, and a short period of work experience to help them achieve a full apprenticeship or employment.

Bradley Scott, 17, from Chadwell St Mary, progressed from an Enhanced Apprenticeship working for Seetec to securing a one-year apprenticeship in a Southend-based school. He said: “The digital media in business course I completed with Seetec improved my social media skills and built my confidence, while helping me to progress towards a career in marketing.

“I feel that having this extra knowledge helped me secure my IT apprenticeship with Milton Hall School in Westcliff.

“I’m really enjoying the placement so far and have been assisting the media department with some marketing projects – something I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to do if I had gone to college.” 

“I would recommend an apprenticeship to anyone who would rather do the job and gain experience in the workplace, while gaining some qualifications along the way.”

Kirsty Pascoe, HR and Learning and Development generalist, from Romford-based medical recruitment company Total Assist, has already taken on more than a dozen apprentices through Seetec, with a number having progressed to full-time employment with the company.

Kirsty explained: “We find it so rewarding to recruit apprentices into what is often their first full-time job. They work so hard and have a lot of enthusiasm, and they grow with the company to become absolutely invaluable.

“One of our apprentices came to us at 18 and is now training with us to become a recruitment consultant, another helped out in payroll and was so good that we are now supporting her to study on a Level 3 AAT accounting course and she has secured a permanent position.”

Young people interested in apprenticeship opportunities should contact Seetec on 01702 208270.