Daisy Manning is a young woman with a bright career ahead of her, thanks to an apprenticeship in business administration and a supportive employer.

Having completed her apprenticeship training, the 21-year-old has just been given a permanent position in a customer support role at Christchurch-based Taylor Made Designs, a company offering branded solutions to nationwide and global businesses.

Managing director Ed Taylor was introduced to apprenticeships through FNTC Training. FNTC specialises in business and customer service training, as well as the care sector right across southern England, from their centres in Bournemouth, Salisbury, Romsey, Totton and the Isle of Wight.

Ed said: “A business advisor from FNTC Training informed me I could be eligible for a grant to support taking on an apprentice. He then took time to listen to what type of business we operate and the kind of candidate who would fit, and came up with Daisy. She is a superstar.

“She has been keen to learn, is dedicated and hard working. So much so, I have assigned her some of our key accounts, such as Warner Bros and eBay, which is testimony to our trust in her capabilities.

“I’d have no qualms in encouraging other businesses to take on an apprentice.”

The government is currently providing financial incentives to help SMEs invest in training young people via the Apprenticeship Grant for Employers scheme.

Providing the business has less than 1,000 employees and has not taken on an apprentice in the past 12 months, they could be entitled to receive £1,500 towards the costs of training.

Steve Barber, business development officer at FNTC Training, said: “Local firms have been very proactive in taking up the grant which has given a lot of young people a very good career start.

“The business administration apprenticeship is so flexible and is therefore suitable for almost any kind of office or administrative environment.

“We do all the recruitment for you at no cost, so this is a great opportunity to invest in new staff.”

An apprenticeship programme with FNTC Training starts with them matching the candidate with the employer, then providing ongoing training, support and assessment.

In Daisy’s case, she completed most of her tutorials online which meant she could study at times to suit her and her employer.

FNTC Training has also introduced the new Traineeships in Business from their Bournemouth training centre. Any potential young trainees or employers looking to take on an apprentice or offer a work placement can contact them on 01202 764520 or email steve.barber@fntctraining.co.uk