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A pair of South London teenagers have been given a unique opportunity to gain on the job skills after SLB Logistics helped two Croydon-based companies to take on an apprentice.

Both PF Whitehead, a transport logistics provider and Future Supplies, an award winning cleaning products distributer, had struggled to take on a young apprentice due to the risks and administration involved. However with the help of SLB Logistic the firms have been able to offer work placements to Tom Coyne and Alex Miller respectively, and the two 18-year-olds also have the opportunity to gain NVQ training.

Now both firms have heaped praise on their apprentices and the support offered by SLB, with PF Whitehead Managing Director Peter Whitehead describing Tom as “a breath of fresh air”.

Mr Whitehead said: “I can’t speak highly enough of the system operated by SLB Logistics. They matched the apprentice to the firm and carry out all the administration. They also oversee Tom’s NVQ training which, in this case, is carried out on our premises so as not to take him away from the job. He’s a good lad who wants to work and through this apprenticeship he is learning about our entire business, seeing how the whole process operates.”

Future Supplies has offered work placements to vulnerable young people for several years but a fully fledged apprenticeship was an undertaking on a different scale. Operations Manager Dan Hills however described how working with SLB Logistics Apprenticeship Training Agency made the process much easier. He said: “It has taken away the paperwork from us and also provided us with the right calibre of person first time.”

South London Business (SLB) established an Apprenticeship Training Agency in February 2010 creating an independent company, SLB Logistics, responsible for finding employers and organising training for individuals. The government backed initiative is designed to help the logistics sector overcome the challenges and administration of taking on an apprentice by assuming all the responsibilities of an employer. SLB Logistics spends time working with employers to understand their business needs and match those to the skills of an apprentice.

Peter Pledger, SLB Chief Executive said: “As a business organisation we have direct links to thousands of employers – providing the perfect platform to offer the apprenticeship programme to a wide range of businesses. Crucially we take the risk away from businesses by employing apprentices directly and then offering them to businesses along with an associated training offer. We are hugely proud of the work we have done to date and the opportunities we are providing.”

After nine months Tom and Alex will both gain a full apprenticeship which will help them secure permanent future employment in their chosen sectors.

If you would like more information about taking on an apprentice contact South London Business by calling 0208 253 4250 or emailing ata@southlondonbusiness.co.uk