FIRMS supporting Foundation for Jobs have backed new research showing companies that take on apprentices would recommend them to others.

The research released by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) last week showed that 81 per cent of companies which had taken on apprentices would recommend other firms do the same.

In addition 83 per cent of apprentices said an apprenticeship had improved their ability to do their job and boosted their career prospects.

Now a national award winning project Foundation for Jobs is a joint initiative involving Darlington Borough Council, The Northern Echo and the Darlington Partnership of private firms and public sector organizations and has enjoyed support from businesses and industrialists across the whole North-East region.

One of the aims of Foundation for Jobs, which was launched in January last year, is to increase the number of firms that take on apprentices, with the campaign working with these businesses to create 143 new apprenticeship places to date.

Darlington based Stone Technical Services, established by brothers Dave and Grahame Stone in 1998, specialises in high-level maintenance, lightning conductor installation and steeplejack services.

The firm, which now employs 35 people at its headquarters in Kellaw Road, and has satellite offices in Cheshire, Edinburgh, London and Middlesex, has taken on five apprentices in the North-East since the start of this year.

Managing director Dave Stone said: “We look for specialist, traditional skills and these can be sadly lacking in our sector these days.

“We’ve recruited a number of apprentices working across several of our divisions including restoration, conservation, lightning protection and steeplejacks.”

Mr Stone, whose business works on high profile buildings such St Paul’s Cathedral and many English Heritage sites, believed a key advantage of apprenticeships was being able to equip young workers with the exact skills an employer needed.

“We can then train the apprentices ourselves, in conjunction with local colleges and industry assessors, so that they have the necessary, applicable skills to help both our business and themselves to develop their careers in a very exciting sector,” he said.

“Apprentices bring so much to the business- youthful enthusiasm, a desire to learn and the will to progress guided by our experienced team.

“They’re also always very keen to learn about the commercial side of the company and hence we can arm them with both practical skills and business knowledge.”

Skills Minister Matthew Hancock said: “Apprenticeships are becoming an increasingly attractive option for school leavers who want to forge a successful career by earning while they learn. This research shows why they are good news for both young people and employers.

“We want it to become the new norm that young people go either to university or into an apprenticeship.”