Apprentice Johnathan Clutterbuck has shown that having a disability is certainly no barrier to securing a paid work placement.
The 20-year-old had initially set his heart on a career in music, but after the discovery of a hearing impairment in May 2012, followed by a diagnosis of Asperger's syndrome, Johnathan decided that he could no longer continue his studies.
After a referral to Remploy, a provider of specialist employment services for people with disabilities and other health conditions, Johnathan started meeting with a careers advisor on a weekly basis.
And when he was told about the NVQ Level 2 Apprenticeship in Business Administration vacancy, which was being offered in partnership with Vision Apprentices, Johnathan jumped at the chance and applied.
Johnathan, of Bestwood, said: "It [the vacancy] suited me down to the ground. It is interesting because I now know what it's like to be both using their services and working for them.
Now a year into his apprenticeship, Johnathan's day-to-day duties include working on the welcome team desk, meeting and greeting people upon their arrival and supporting Nottingham branch staff with administration tasks.
But beyond his reception role, Johnathan also delivers a computer course for beginners twice a week, and was a helper at the company's summer exposition last year on the IT stand.
Johnathan said: "Learning about Asperger's has helped me to understand why I am like I am. My view is that if you have a disability but don't want it to stop you doing things you want to do, then you won't let it bother you.
"I've developed so many skills since the start of my apprenticeship such as my ability to speak to people who I don't know. I've also started to teach people who come into the Remploy branch the basics of computers, which is something that I never imagined I could have done."
Last month, Johnathan was chosen for an inspiration award for going above and beyond his apprenticeship duties.
Remploy's Nottingham branch manager Katherine Howe, said: "Johnathan has become an integral part of the Nottingham team. He goes the extra mile and is willing to greet anyone who comes through the door with a friendly smile.
"I'm very proud of his progress and was especially pleased when he won an inspiration award recently – he thoroughly deserved this."
Abi Smith, manager of Vision Apprentices, said: "We take great care and pride in supporting candidates to successfully find a job that best suits their range of abilities and it's fantastic to see Johnathan doing so well
"He has shown that having a physical or learning disability is certainly no a barrier to securing an apprenticeship."
The Post is looking to find 300 apprentice places within 100 days as part of out Get Notts Working campaign and is calling on firms in the area to take part.
The campaign is being supported by Nottingham City Council, the Nottinghamshire City and County Employment and Skills Board, the Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Chamber of Commerce and the National Apprenticeship Service.
Companies wanting to pledge to take on apprentices should call Katrina Harris on 0115 905 1297 or e-mail katrina.harris@nottinghampost.com.
