Inspection services provider and Chambers Wales member Sutro Group has created an opportunity for a young person to start their career in their specialist industry through the UK Government’s Kickstart Scheme.
The Kickstart Scheme is an incentive for 16 – 24-year-olds who claim Universal Credit and are at risk of becoming unemployed long-term.
Employers who create new jobs for young people through the scheme can apply for funding which covers 100% of the National Minimum or Living Wage, employer National Insurance contributions and minimum automatic enrolment pension contributions.
Sutro provide complete asset integrity through innovative technology, creating efficient access and inspection solutions for multiple industry sectors. With the intention of appointing an apprentice to support their services, which include rope access engineering, drone, NDT and advanced NDT inspections, Sutro discussed the Kickstart Scheme with Chambers Wales.
As a trusted Kickstart gateway organisation, Chambers Wales was able to assist Sutro with the application process from managing funding to liaising with the Department of Work and Pensions.
Greg Drane, Commercial Director at Sutro, said: “As with many apprenticeship schemes, it’s often very difficult to find the right calibre of candidate, especially in our industry as the work scope is very niche; but I was surprised when the emails from Kickstart started to come through.”
Thanks to Chambers Wales’ assistance, Sutro Group has appointed a young man, Ewan, to join their small but highly experienced team as their new apprentice. The position provides Ewan with an opportunity to start his career in a specialist industry with exemplary training.
Greg added: “A very level-headed, young man with a willingness to broaden his horizons, Ewan’s attitude stood out in particular at the interview. It was very pleasing to see such a proactive nature to Ewan, well-balanced and polite with an eagerness to learn.
“We’re looking forward to Ewan starting here at Sutro and will implement a training package which will give Ewan the tools he needs to really excel in this field and create a long-term career.
“If and when we have another apprentice opportunity, we would definitely consider Kickstart and working with Chambers Wales again.”
