A FURNITURE-MAKING business is looking to take on eight new apprentices in support of the Post's Get Notts Working campaign.
The Post is encouraging firms to take on new trainees with the hope of finding 300 apprentice places this year.
Sofa Brands International is looking to recruit the staff and has pledged to take on eight apprentices at two of its brands – three at Parker Knoll and five at Duresta.
The firm's head of human resources Emma Wharton said the recruits would play a vital part for the firm.
She said: "We are committed to ensuring that there are continued opportunities for talented and ambitious youngsters in the area to prosper in our exciting industry."
The Parker Knoll apprentices will do training in upholstery at its base in Riddings, near Alfreton, as will three of the Duresta apprentices at its base in Long Eaton.
Of the other Duresta vacancies, one is in business and administration and the other in machinery.
Current Duresta apprentice Joe Bryan, 20, said his course was progressing well.
One day a week he attends Webs Training College in Beeston to add to the on-the-job training he receives through his manager and his mentors at Duresta.
He said: "When I first started we spent the first five weeks understanding the business and following a sales order through the factory."
This took the apprentices through the sales office, production and planning, fabric ordering, cutting, sewing, upholstery, final inspection, dispatch and design and development.
Once complete, the junior team then presented that experience back to the senior operations team.
Ms Wharton added: "Having access to everyone in the business is unifying for all our teams. We actively encourage ideas to flow back and forth.
"Our graduates work right across the group, from design and production at Parker Knoll in Riddings, all the way through to supporting business development for Duresta in China."
The Post is urging other companies to follow the lead of Sofa Brands International and take on one or more apprentices.
Our campaign is being run in conjunction with the Derbyshire and Notts Chamber of Commerce, the National Apprenticeship Service, the Nottinghamshire City and County Employment and Skills Board and Nottingham City Council.
This is the second year the Post has run the campaign.
