Top employers on the look out for an apprentice!

Birmingham Future’s Graduate Apprentice Scheme has confirmed three top employers for 2010.

Existing Graduate Apprentice employer Deloitte is to be joined by Brewin Dolphin and Birmingham Development Company to support the scheme which is now in its fifth year.

Set up in 2006, The Graduate Apprentice is run by Birmingham Future’s Talent Retention and Development Committee and supported by Graduate Advantage. It aims to give one exceptional graduate an unrivalled insight into the vibrant social and professional scene of Birmingham through individual sixteen week placements at three Birmingham based firms.

In addition to gaining both work and life experience, the graduate will receive a year’s complimentary membership to Birmingham Future, the support and guidance of a mentor and training opportunities from Graduate Advantage.

So far the scheme has helped four ambitious graduates including last year’s winner, Emily Williams. Ms Williams, a Coventry-born mathematics graduate has already enjoyed a placement at Deloitte and is currently with the HR department of Matthew Boulton and Sutton Coldfield colleges as they merged to form Birmingham Metropolitan College and will finish her year with business consultants VC Consulting.

The 2007 Graduate Apprentice, Jason Norris secured a permanent job at Deloitte following his placement there and now chairs Birmingham Future’s Talent, Retention and Development committee who lead the search for the Graduate Apprentice.

Jason said: “I can safely say that experiencing working at the three different firms greatly improved my understanding of how the business world actually operates and was the best career decision that I have made. It’s opened doors to opportunities I never knew existed and made my CV stand out from all my peers. Deloitte continue to support the scheme following my year, offering the opportunity for the Graduate Apprentice to experience the diverse world of a professional services firm. The scheme continues to provide top class candidates, and Deloitte are delighted to continue to be involved.”

Anthony McCourt from Birmingham Development Company Ltd said: “As developers of Birmingham we were extremely keen to become involved in a scheme which helps to promote and publicise the city as an exciting place to live and work. I sit on the committee that helps administer the scheme and quickly realised the value that both the apprentice and the employer get out of participating in the scheme.”

Stephen Jones, a Divisional Director and Head of the Birmingham office of Brewin Dolphin said: “Brewin Dolphin is proud to support Birmingham Future’s Graduate Apprentice Scheme as we firmly believe in the importance of nurturing the business leaders of the future. The apprentice will have the opportunity to assist in the daily tasks of Investment Managers as well as being able to attend business development events and strategy meetings that will help assist in building up a good understanding of the UK financial markets and global economy.”

For more details on The Graduate Apprentice and details on how to apply, visit www.thegraduateapprentice.co.uk