AS part of ongoing employment investment to its skilled workforce who already number more than 185 staff, Graphic PLC of Lords Meadow Industrial Estate, Crediton, has announced plans to help guarantee its future.

The printed circuit board manufacturing business is going to take on 10 Apprentices during the next five years to train with and enhance its already highly skilled workforce.

Alan Good, Graphic’s training, development and human resources manager, said: "Apprenticeships are not just for school leavers who are straight out of the classroom.

"If you are one of the many young people who jumped straight into school leaver jobs and you are feeling unfulfilled in your role, or you feel you want to push things to the next level to forge a career out of what you are doing, then an Apprenticeship in your specialism could be the ideal option for you.

"Apprenticeship in factories, manufacturing and industry are available but the manufacturing and engineering sector is a very broad area and there is a whole array of Apprenticeships available for people who want to work in this type of industry and as an example Graphic is looking for young people to work in our IT Department.

"Perhaps our Engineering Department is more appealing, or maybe your passion is Chemistry (Wet Chemistry)?"

Mr Good said there are different levels of Apprenticeships.

He explained: "After completing an Intermediate level Apprenticeship, you will receive a qualification that is equivalent of five GCSEs at grades A to C.

"This could be a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) at Level 2 and you might also receive a BTEC, depending on the job you are doing. You will also be able to then progress to the next level; the Advanced Level Apprenticeship."

"As a general rule", he said, "Apprenticeships can take anything from one to four years so you need to be committed to complete one."

Mr Good said that Apprenticeship is about" earning while you learn".

He continued: "Graphic is responsible for paying your wages. The National Minimum Wage as set by the Government is lower for young people who are doing Apprenticeships.

"You will be pleased to learn that Graphic chooses to pay above these rates so you could find yourself earning a good wage while learning at the same time."

Mr Good said that an Apprentice can learn new skills or develop existing ones, training will result in a nationally recognised qualification, the Apprentice will build character and employability skills and, at the end of an Apprenticeship, most apprentices are kept on by Graphic.

Graphic Apprenticeship vacancies are advertised on this page and on the Graphic website: www.graphic.plc.uk .

Anyone who would like to talk about apprenticeships Graphic is offering, can give Alan Good a call on 01363 774874 or email: [email protected] or complete an application form which is available on the website.

Mr Good concluded that applications are now invited and any young person could soon be on the Apprenticeship road to more qualifications and a successful career in their chosen job.

• The Graphic group is a global manufacturer of printed electrical circuits in the UK, USA and China.

Graphic PLC in the UK, based in Crediton, is a £15 million company, which has been established since 1968.

It manufactures printed circuit boards (PCB) in low to medium volumes for blue chip companies worldwide and is seen as one of the world’s most technically competent manufacturers of high-performance printed circuit boards.