Wirral employers pledge to help teens

Wirral’s teenagers got the chance to vote for their favourite bosses at a glittering awards ceremony at The Floral Pavilion in New Brighton on Tuesday.

Now in their third year the Wirral Star Employer Awards aim to thank employers who really make a difference in the community by supporting young people and Tuesday night was an opportunity to pay tribute to local employers who are helping young people prepare for work, by offering work experience, apprenticeships and work positions.

Bromborough-based training company Life Choice, Atlas Fire and Security of Wallasey, West Kirby Library and Wallasey-based fashion designers Repooc Couture were all voted Star winners by Wirral teenagers.

Guest Speaker Mark Nuttall from Unilever, whose company employs 80 apprentices said: “Creating work positions for young people, taking them on as apprentices or trainees, or simply giving someone valuable work experience can mean so much. It really does change people’s lives.”

During the event, organised by Wirral Council’s 14-19 Partnership, employers were also asked to pledge their support to the new wave of teens looking for work experience or job opportunities. Last year The Wirral Apprentice programme exceeded its goal to get more than 100 young people recruited by local firms.

Apprentice Heather Brown, 16, who has joined music business Fallen Industries, told guests: “It’s a two-year apprenticeship which I’m loving. It has boosted my confidence and helped me grow as an individual. Hopefully I’ll go from strength to strength.”

Merseyside Police were also awarded a special achievement award and Sainsbury’s in Upton praised for their partnership work with schools.

Highly commended were Wirral Partnership Homes, Setz Hairdressers, John Hemmingway, Davida and New Brighton Primary School.

Around 200 employers and young people attended the celebration which was hosted by St Mary’s College students Leon Search-Kearny, Joseph Callaghan and Jamie Toner and guests were entertained by young performers from Wallasey School, Park High School band Scratch and West Wirral’s got talent winner Carmel Reynolds from Oldershaw School.

Wirral Council’s innovative scheme The Wirral Apprentice created One hundred new apprentice positions in local companies in September 2009 with Wirral Council paying their salaries for 18 months.  The apprentices also receive training from The Learning and Skills Council so that they can achieve a nationally recognised qualification in their chosen field.