A COUNTY Durham estate agency has become the first firm in the region to take on an apprentice under a new initiative.

Robinsons’ branch in Chester-le- Street has employed 17-year-old Yasmin Lazaro under the Apprenticeship Grant for Employers (Age) scheme, which offers businesses a £2,500 bonus for each 16 or 17-year-old they take on as an apprentice.

Interest in Age in the North-East has been significant since its launch in January, and it is hoped an extra 5,000 young people will have apprenticeships across the UK by the end of this month.

Terry Hogg, financial services manager at Robinsons Chester-le-Street branch, said: “As well as being able to offer Yasmin a job supporting the negotiation and mortgage side of our business, there is the added bonus that she will attain a qualification in business and administration.

“She will reap the benefits of furthering her education while gaining valuable work-related skills and being paid a wage.

“As for Robinsons, we will also benefit enormously, by taking on someone who can grow within our organisation and learn the skills which are important to the continued success of our business.”

Robinsons, helped by Zodiac Training, have since taken on another two apprentices.

John Wayman, regional director of the National Apprenticeship Service in the North-East, said: “Our research shows that firms who take on apprentices have been in great shape to face the downturn.”