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Success for apprentices
LEON Dawson and Michelle Harrison are classic examples of Island apprentices getting on in the world of work.
They are among hundreds of young people whose talents are being nurtured with local Island-based companies.
Leon, 23, turned his back on a career in banking to join By Degrees, an offshoot of Heron and Brearley.
Now he has successfully completed a two-year course to attain a Level 2 NVQ in refrigeration and air conditioning.
And Michelle, 20, from Onchan, has just been taken on as an apprentice printer by Bridson and Horrox.
She is relishing the task set before her of working in what has traditionally been a male-orientated business.
Ed Costain, Training Supervisor at the Isle of Man Government's Department of Economic Development (DED) said the number of companies taking on apprentices was growing.
At present there were around 500 apprentices being trained in a whole range of companies. Some take on only one or two while other larger firms took on a lot more.
Island-born Leon returned to the Island six years ago and started work in the financial sector in a bank. The office environment was not for him and he started looking to get an apprenticeship.
He was made aware of the DED schemes in 2008 through a friend who was now an apprentice electrician with a local company. He enrolled on to and completed the aptitude test.
After getting the results he required he was offered an apprenticeship with By Degrees, a Heron and Brearley company, in refrigeration and air conditioning.
Through the support of the DED and By Degrees, Leon was found a place at the Grimsby Institute of Technology which has one of the leading refrigeration/air conditioning training departments in the British Isles.
He was successful in completing the course and passed all the modules. He is now looking forward to returning to the college to do a third year Level three course which will enable him to advance his career opportunities with By Degrees.
By Degrees operations manager John Cojeen praised the partnership with Ed Costain of the government for their help and backing of Leon.
'We look forward to continuing successful partnership with the DED.'
Leon said he was loving his job which gets him to drive all over the Island. He helps service refrigeration and air conditioning in Heron and Brearley outlets as well as other premises such as Co-Ops.
'I've never looked back since leaving the bank. I love getting out and about,' said Leon who plays football for the Police in his spare time.
Meanwhile Michelle Harrison said she was relishing every minute of her new apprenticeship with Bridson and Horrox.
'I love it, I really do,' she said.
'I am the only female on the shop floor but I am treated like one of the lads,' said Michelle.
She said she joined the printing firm after gaining another apprenticeship qualification with G.E. Aviation where she worked for four years after leaving school at 16.
She said her boyfriend Graham Smart was perfectly happy to have a 'tomboy' girlfriend who loves getting mucky in her day job.
Bridson and Horrox recently took on three new apprentices. Michelle joined the company as an apprentice printer. Simon Reed and Andrew Whittaker have joined as apprentices in print finishing. New apprentices are taken on every year by the company.
The firm has recently been reaccredited with the Investors in People award.
Bridson and Horrox work with the Isle of Man Government Training Centre and in conjunction with the British Printing Industries Federation, to encourage all staff to undergo a Level II NVQ, irrespective of their age or experience. The Level II NVQ will enable continuous development of the new apprentices and will provide a more professional service to customers.
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Weather for Isle of Man
Tuesday 07 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 2 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 3 C to 5 C
Wind Speed: 21 mph
Wind direction: South
