Chesterfield apprentice helps family business grow

Crytec Ltd in Clay Cross, a family run organisation which specialises in providing commercial and industrial equipment, welcomed new apprentice Jack Hodkin through the government’s apprenticeship incentive scheme, with the help of Chesterfield College.

Following a recent boom in home improvement and outdoor work during the pandemic, the business who sell machinery for construction, forestry and manual handling saw their turnover double.

Despite knowing they needed to expand their team, bosses at Crytec were cautious about the best way to take on a new worker during the current economic climate which has been made more precarious due to multiple lockdowns over the past 12 months.

The business, who were supported by Chesterfield College, decided to take on a warehousing apprentice to keep up with the demands for their services, after the announcement of the government’s incentive scheme.

The new initiative, which started at the beginning of the month, provides an incentive to businesses to develop their workforce and helps employers build for the future as the country starts the next phase of lockdown easing.

Employers who take on a new apprentice between April 1 and September 30, 2021 will be able to claim a £3,000 incentive payment and if the apprentice is aged 16 to 18 and has been in the care of local authority or has an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) employers will receive an additional £1,000.

Director at Crytec Ltd Matt Cryans explained why he decided to recruit Jack and the difference he has made to the business after joining six weeks ago.

“We were considering ways to expand the team to support the growing business”, he said.

"When the government announced the incentive scheme it swayed the decision to take on warehousing apprentice.

"The scheme covers a decent proportion of an apprentice’s wages so it gives you confidence to recruit.

"The extra bit of funding certainly helps you to make the move to grow the team when things feel a bit uncertain.

“The team at college made it easy to apply for the funding and supported me through the steps of taking on an apprentice too.

“It has already been a really good move for us.

"He is helping us out a lot and he is doing really well.

"I can see him being here a long time and moving on to full employment or doing the next level apprenticeship.

“I will definitely be looking for other opportunities to expand the team with more apprentices in the future.”

The latest apprenticeship bonus scheme offers up to £4,000 to employers who recruit an apprentice and experts from Learning Unlimited, part of the Chesterfield College Group, are working to help businesses benefit from the incentive and grow their operation.

The Chesterfield College Group are joining up employers with the most suitable candidates for their apprenticeship vacancies from a talent pool of students and applicants.

The education provider are also helping businesses navigate the recruitment process and the paper work, along with providing support to the apprentice and employer throughout the apprenticeship.

To find out more, visit www.chesterfield.ac.uk/apprenticeship-bonus-payment/ or call 0345 850 1055.

Derbyshire jewellers launch new collection to celebrate 70th anniversary of Peak District National Park and raise funds

Derbyshire police praise residents for behaving 'responsibly' on first weekend with pubs reopen

Architect firms announces new director

A message from Phil Bramley, Derbyshire Times Editor

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper.