Tees Active Ltd are pleased to be appointing the majority of their apprentices into permanent employment across the leisure service.

The organisation can boast that 95 per cent of its apprentices have been transferred into permanent employment with Tees Active Ltd or alternative employers.

Twelve months at the leisure organization has allowed the apprentices to gain the work experience and training that was crucial to landing the permanent jobs in an array of jobs from fitness instructors to Life guards.

Mark Lee, Activ8 Health and Fitness Advisor said: "I was unemployed before Tees Active gave me this fantastic opportunity to break into the health and fitness industry.

"Not only has this apprenticeship gave me vital on the job experience it has also given me the confidence I need to secure the permanent job I was craving. I cannot thank Tees Active enough for the level of support and time they have invested in me. I have gained extra qualifications such as my personal training qualification and specialist coaching awards such as VIPR and Kettlebell training. I would recommend an apprenticeship to anyone, It is really good having qualifications but employers would rather you had work experience. As an apprentice you get the best of both."

Despite joining Tees Active Ltd just over a year ago, the apprentices are already playing a vital role in delivering the award winning customer service across six leisure centres.

The good news doesn't stop there, with Tees Active taking on another 10 apprentices on this intake. The apprenticeship programme will last for twelve months and provides local people the chance to begin a career in the sport and leisure industry. With over one hundred people applying for the apprenticeship scheme it was clear to see that many young people are facing an uncertain future on Teesside.

Kerry Swan, Workforce Development Manager at Tees Active said: "We are passionate about supporting apprentices and have worked in partnership with Lifetime Training to provide NVQ and Apprenticeship training, opening up opportunities to young people. We are delighted to have these young people onboard who are such as asset to our company.

"We have been really impressed with the way the young people have managed the demands of their apprenticeships, they have all been so keen to learn and this continually shines through. As a company we are proud to support young people and help them achieve the skills they need to succeed in the leisure industry, long may this continue".

As a social enterprise organisation Tees Active are keen to embrace the creation of apprenticeship opportunities to utilise local young talent and in turn grow and develop them into multi skilled members of staff. This programme is aligned with Government priorities to create and support young people into employment. Tees Active is working in partnership with Stockton Borough Council, Lifetime Training Group, Middlesbrough and Teesside Philanthropic Foundation. 

Nigel Wallace Client Services Director at Lifetime Training, commented: "Apprenticeships offer knowledge and skills like any programme of structured study but acquiring these skills in the workplace gives direct relevance to the learning. It really embeds the 'why' not just the 'how', so that candidates more readily appreciate how businesses work and how their role contributes to the success of that business. The process also teaches an element of discipline, application and a focus that will stand them in good stead whatever they decide to do in the future.

"We look forward to seeing how our Apprenticeship training, and the gaining of qualifications, will impact on the working lives and career aspirations of this year's learners as well as the success of Tees Active as a whole."

Steve Chaytor, Managing Director of Tees Active, said: "This is a great opportunity for these young people to join a successful and expanding company in the leisure sector. It's also a great opportunity for us to take on local talent and develop them for future employment. We're hoping the scheme will be a great success."