RUBY Conner knew that working in a bank wasn't the job for her.
She had a passion for working for a production company and, when an apprentice role came up, she jumped at the chance.
She has now been at Dance 4 in the city centre for a month.
"I am really enjoying the work I have been doing – it's exactly what I want to be doing," said the 21-year-old.
Ruby is one of hundreds of people benefiting or set to benefit from the Post's successful Get Notts Working campaign.
Earlier this year, we set out to find 300 apprentice vacancies in Notts.
Today we reveal we have surpassed that target – reaching a total of 309 pledges.
Of those, 59 came from training provider New College Nottingham – which is placing students with firms.
One of those firms is Dance 4, who took on Ruby as an events promotion and creative art apprentice.
Her role has seen her create e-flyers for the firm's productions and use social networking sites to contacting customers about upcoming shows.
Dance 4 helps to get young people involved in stage productions by running local shows.
Ruby added: "My apprenticeship lasts for a year and I am getting paid while I learn a job.
"When I finish I will have qualifications and possibly stay on at Dance 4. Or those qualifications will help me stay in the industry."
Steve Rick, who matches New College Nottingham apprentices with jobs, said: "From a company perspective, apprenticeships are a great way of training the future workforce.
"They are also a great way of giving someone a chance at training for a job while getting paid."
Another apprentice who has benefited from Get Notts Working is Scott Curtis, 24.
His dad Phil Curtis, owner of Whitemoor firm Mint Plumbing, decided to take on an apprentice in support of the Post campaign, with Scott fitting the bill.
Scott said: "It's been going really well. We do a lot of plumbing at domestic properties and I've been learning a lot.
"I started at the end of May and feel that the apprenticeship is allowing me to learn important skills while earning at the same time."
The success of this year's Post apprentice drive comes on the back of two previous campaigns.
In 2011, we unearthed 162 roles, while 230 were created last year – a total of 701 in three years.
We have worked with the Derbyshire and Notts Chamber of Commerce, the National Apprenticeship Service, Nottingham City Council and the Nottinghamshire City and County Employment and Skills Board.
George Cowcher, chief executive of the chamber, said: "I'm delighted we are once again celebrating the success of an apprenticeship campaign here in Nottingham.
"I would like to thank all of the employers in and around the city who have supported the campaign."
Karen Woodward, divisional area director for the National Apprenticeship Service, said: "I hope more organisations will now be encouraged to consider the benefits offered by apprenticeships and reap the rewards of a more motivated, skilled and qualified workforce."
