Hard work pays off for apprentices

A Devon company is proving its Cullompton recruited through leading national apprenticeship and training provider Positive Outcomes are a credit to a business – rewarding them with themed fun days and exotic holiday breaks as part of the firm’s work hard, play hard mantra.

Adopstar, an advertising company based in Cullompton in Devon, recently recruited two new apprentices through Positive Outcomes, and has since rewarded them with fun activities including holidays, day trips and even dress up days in the office.

Mark Warren, 21, an IT apprentice at Adopstar, started working for the advertising company after seeing an apprenticeship advertised on Positive Outcomes’ Paid to Learn website. He is now working towards his customer service qualification.

His apprenticeship has since allowed him to celebrate his work’s Christmas party in Lanzarote and enjoy light-hearted themed days in the office.

Mark said: “I like the atmosphere here a lot. The people are great and the trips and fun days always happen randomly throughout the year and are really enjoyable for everybody.

“We went to Lanzarote for our Christmas party last year where we worked with our laptops by the pool during the day and then did activities in the evening like segwaying.

“I saw the ad to be an apprentice via Positive Outcomes and immediately applied. I had always been good at IT so the role sounded great for me. It was a great opportunity to learn on the job.”

Working alongside Mark is Nick Mahany, 32, who is also doing an apprenticeship at Adopstar through Positive Outcomes. He has worked at the company for two years, enjoying the ‘work hard, play hard’ mantra.

He said: “Working at Adopstar is great as we are all allowed to enjoy the fruits of our labour.

“Since starting, I have been to Lanzarote, go karting and there is always a summer soiree to go to.”

Nick began his apprenticeship at Adopstar six months ago after having already worked at the company for more than a year.

He is now working towards his NVQ Level 3 in management, which is being provided by Positive Outcomes.

He said: “I really wanted to do an apprenticeship as part of my role as you can learn while you work.

“The training really helps you and it is easy to juggle with life commitments plus I get a qualification at the end. The holidays and away days are just an added bonus.”

Ryan Longmate, managing director at Positive Outcomes, said: “Apprenticeships provide an excellent grounding to set people on their way in their careers with the opportunity to earn while they learn and achieve nationally recognised qualifications.

“We work with a wide variety of companies across a whole range of disciplines. Businesses can choose to recognise the hard work of apprentices however they see fit and it’s good to hear how the fun activities and other trips provided by Adopstar are well received by the apprentices and add to their motivation.”

Theresa Benson, director at Adopstar, believes providing extra incentives for her apprentices is worth it.

“The fun days and trips work wonders for the staff and it is only fair that we share the benefits with the staff and the apprentices. Without their hard work, we wouldn’t have a business so it is only fair to share in their success.

“Adopstar currently has 16 members of staff, two of whom are apprentices who were hired through Positive Outcomes.

“Positive Outcomes always works so hard to find me great apprentices and I don’t hesitate to go to them when I need help.”

For more information about apprenticeships available with Positive Outcomes, go to www.positiveoutcomes.org.uk.