Firm is tops for apprentices

A WARRINGTON-based firm has been named as one of the top 100 employers of apprentices in England.
Optionis, the businesses and freelancer services group with headquarters in Centre Park, received the accolade at the National Apprenticeship Awards in Birmingham.
Compiled and published by vocational education specialist City & Guilds, the Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers list features “exceptional” businesses who displayed “the highest standards of excellence” in this year’s awards process.
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg congratulated Optionis on making the list.
He said: “This year’s top 100 apprenticeship employers have demonstrated the huge impact on the young people they invest in and the many benefits for their organisations.
“Apprentices help employers develop a skilled and qualified workforce to build a stronger economy, whilst creating a fairer society where young people can get on and go far in some of Britain’s best companies.
“I would encourage more businesses across England to follow these shining examples and find out how apprenticeships can help them build a skilled, motivated and highly qualified workforce.”
The Optionis group employs 50 apprentices working across 11 departments, including accounts, human resources, sales ledger, payroll, IT, credit control and marketing. More are set to be recruited in the coming months.
Optionis’ inclusion in the top 100 list comes after it was highly commended in the Newcomer Employer of the Year SME category at the regional finals (North West – Greater Manchester, Cheshire and Staffordshire) of the National Apprenticeship Awards.
The group’s apprentices work towards recognised academic qualifications, undergo regular assessments and are expected to contribute to hitting their department’s overall targets.
They are entitled to the same benefits and perks as all other employees, and the vast majority go on to secure a permanent position when their apprenticeship comes to an end.