Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce is supporting this newspaper’s ‘100 Apprenticeships in 100 Days’ campaign and is encouraging and supporting its members to get on board.

On top of this, the organisation is recruiting an apprentice of its own for its corporate department.

The chamber is working with the Worcestershire Group Training Association to find the right candidate and is looking forward to welcoming the successful applicant to its Worcester office.

Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce has been in existence since the 1830s and is an organisation that exists to support businesses across the two counties to develop and thrive.

Chamber spokesman Dawn Hardman said: “We firmly believe the apprentice programme to be of immense value. Our organisation is well placed to offer business administration experience, training and support. As an employer, we also benefit greatly from the programme which provides us with an opportunity to engage with willing and motivated individuals who are keen to learn and we know will provide invaluable support to our organisation.”

Alistair Druett a previous apprentice at the chamber said: “When I started the apprenticeships programme with Worcester Group Training Association I was unsure which company I would be placed with. I attended a few interviews and was offered two places. I decided to work for the Chamber of Commerce as I thought the variety of work would allow me to experience lots of different elements of business life.

“While working at the chamber I worked in three different departments all giving me a wealth of knowledge and experience. I found doing an apprenticeship the best way to learn while gaining the experience required to advance my career and I continued to develop my skills there even after I had finished my apprenticeship. The chamber and all the staff were always very supportive throughout my apprenticeship and I continued with two different NVQ while there. “ Philip Round chief executive of Worcestershire Group Training Association said: “We are pleased that the Chamber is taking a lead with the ‘100 Apprenticeships in 100 Days’ campaign and are delighted they have chosen Worcestershire Group Training Association as their training provider. We share a common understanding that skills are the key to the recovery and apprenticeships are the prime product for this.”

For more information about apprenticeships visit the National Apprenticeship Service on apprenticeships.org.uk For more updates on the 100 in 100 campaign, visit worcesternews.co.uk/100.