TEENAGER Lewis Smith hopes he is on the way to a career in management after an apprenticeship helped him to secure his first job.

The 18-year-old completed a nine-month apprenticeship with North East Lincolnshire Council's Community Learning Service before securing a job as a merchant support worker at Grimsby-based Cardsave.

He has now spent almost three months with the firm – which supplies payment solutions to small businesses – and hopes to progress to a management role.

As part of National Apprenticeship Week – which runs until Friday – Lewis told how an apprenticeship gave him the skills he needed to buck the trend for growing youth unemployment.

The former Hereford School pupil said: "I finished school and knew I didn't want to continue in education so I went to the Community Learning Service, based at Freeman Street Resources Centre.

"I started doing my Level 1 English and maths, as well as getting some volunteering experience.

"I heard about the apprenticeship scheme through the service and thought it was an excellent opportunity to get a step on the working ladder.

"The apprenticeship was perfect for me because I was earning and getting great office experience while I was learning."

Lewis worked full-time for the Community Learning Services while studying for an NVQ Level 2 business administration.

His duties included answering telephone enquires, processing post, inputting data, printing and photocopying and completing room bookings.

Lewis, from Grimsby, added: "I gained a lot of experience and all the units I picked for my NVQ fitted perfectly with my job role, which made it easy for me to complete it.

"The experience I got really helped when I came to apply for a job at Cardsave.

"I've been there for nearly three months. I want to work my way up to management."

His supervisor, Samantha Briggs, said: "He was used to dealing with customers both on the telephone and face to face, which is a major part of his role.

"We run our own apprenticeship scheme; it's a great way to start careers."

Councillor Ian Lindley, portfolio holder for people services at NELC, said the Community Learning Service can help struggling businesses.

"The team helped about 70 businesses last year and many employers say that hiring an apprentice has helped them to develop the skills of their workforce, making them more competitive," he said.

To take on an apprentice, call 01472 324591 or e-mail cls@nelincs.gov.uk