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  Jonesie @ frjonesandson.co.uk February 7, 2013 at 6:03pm

  We have done this the guy works on the shop floor, we are given him proper training and have already offered him a full time job at the end of his apprenticeship in July. We are currently interviewing for a second person as an admin and office assistant.

  It works well for us, and I'd say if your thinking of taking someone on at least give it a thought.
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  Michael Burt February 7, 2013 at 9:34pm

  We're always looking for keen, motivated folk so yes, we'd offer work experience.
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  Matt - Allscape SW February 7, 2013 at 10:26pm

  I am just looking into this as the incentives offered to businesses to take on apprentices at the moment are very tempting. I am just worried that as a small/medium business getting the "wrong" apprentice could really harm my company.... would be very interested to hear from anyone on here who has gone through this process.... both good and bad experiences!
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  stephen murray-cook February 10, 2013 at 9:12am

  from my past exp you get hounded by H/S mine was citb i did some teaching at the world skills askam bryan york to help out there were some very tallented students my remit was hard landscape and giving them a fast track into hard landscape showing them skills that are not in any books i would headhunt at one of these collages first ps i did my teaching FOC
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  Steve London Stone February 10, 2013 at 9:23am

  I'll kick off with a bad experience. We wanted to take on 3 apprentices. We were visited by these reps who promised that there were loads of apprentices out there looking for placements. We did all the paperwork and wrote all the job descriptions and then sat back and waited for all the applicants to come in, and waited and waited. It's been nearly 6 weeks now and we have had 2 applicants for 3 positions. We were offering reasonable pay, above the minimal requirements. There are grants available up to £1500 as an incentive to us, but our motivation was to bring some young people into our company as an investment in the future. Very disappointed in the process
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  Gary RK February 10, 2013 at 10:10am

  That's disappointing to hear Steve. We had the same motivation to get youngsters into practical based learning.

  I wonder if the Government's push and availability of funds/grants has bought a whole layer Reps/agencys/scheme into the equation (I assume they get paid somehow).

  We took on our apprentice directly (ie we found someone we believed had potential) and went direct to the College and enrolled him. At that time there was a scheme but no grant available (..perhaps we should have waited ..;-)but course fees were offset.
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  Steve London Stone February 10, 2013 at 11:05am

  I didn't want too sound cynical, but that's exactly what I thought Gary. I wouldn't be surprised I they get some kind of comission for posting a vacancy. We're now going to try doing what you did and finding our own people. If anyone out there knows of any young people looking for a career in stone, give me a shout
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  Gary RK February 10, 2013 at 11:16am

  Steve, I know this sounds somewhat reversed (!) but talk to any local horti colleges - I am sure they would be aware of (good) youngsters looking for such hardscaping opportunities from college open days/evenings (I know our local college is just about/has run such open days to entice students in....)They will have a new intake starting late Feb and then again in Sept.
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  Steve London Stone February 10, 2013 at 12:25pm

  Thanks for the tip Gary, will look into that
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  Gary RK February 18, 2013 at 5:41pm

  I pass this on for those in Surrey (maybe other regions are doing the same ?) - I have not used these people, nor do I know all the ins & out so suggest a bit of due dil is done before proceeding (this hit my desk today - 18.2.13):