Member Article

Joshua has designs on being the best

A young website designer has set his sights on becoming the best in the industry and repaying the faith his employer has put in him.

Joshua Murphy, 21, was taken on as an apprentice by Garry Ingoldsby, owner of Printing.com, just four months after finishing his IT foundation qualification at Middlesbrough College.

And after impressing with his enthusiasm, hard work and creative eye for detail, Joshua was rewarded with a full-time apprenticeship with the Corporation Road-based printing and design company.

Joshua, from the Ormesby area of Middlesbrough, said: “I’ve always been interested in website design but at college I initially studied engineering. I realised it wasn’t for me, so when I’d finished the three-year course, I signed up for an IT programme.

“I left college in the summer and was claiming job seekers allowance when I heard about the apprenticeship opportunity with Printing.com. I applied and was lucky enough to be chosen.

“I really didn’t think I’d find work as quickly because it’s hard for young people these days as so much emphasis is put on having experience, which is hard to get if you aren’t given the chance. But Garry and Steve are so supportive of me and I’m learning every day. I love it.”

Joshua spent eight weeks completing his initial placement with Printing.com and is now currently being put through a day-release apprenticeship training programme funded by Middlesbrough Council through its Flexible Routeway programme and hosted by Middlesbrough College.

Owner Garry said: “This is the first time we’ve taken on an apprentice as we felt we needed someone who we could develop rather than an experienced designer who has their own way of working. And we’ve been so impressed with Joshua. We knew very quickly that we wanted him to join us full time; he’s so keen to learn and wants to push himself every day which is great to see.

“I have to thank Middlesbrough Council and their support officers Clare Elliott and Lisa Templeman for the help we’re getting to put Joshua through further training. It’s so costly for me to invest in a young employee like Joshua and of course there are never any guarantees at the end of it. So this financial assistance is vital as it means he gets the training he needs to be the worker we want him to be and potentially carve out a long term future with us.”

Lisa Templeman, project support officer at Middlesbrough Council, said: “Our Flexible Routeway programme is an excellent opportunity to help businesses grow and develop through the recruitment of apprentices and new staff, as well as creating opportunities for local unemployed residents. Printing.com is one of many businesses that have taken advantage of the programme and have been successful in finding the right candidate, adding value to their business in a cost effective way.”

Employers can receive a grant of up to £1,500 to take on a new apprentice or an employee through the scheme, which runs until end April 2013. To find out more about this, or some of the other grants on offer, ring 01642 729131 or 01642 729225.

Joshua added: “I’m so grateful to be given this opportunity with Printing.com and now I want to push myself so I can be the best and help grow the business and repay the faith Garry has put in me.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Publicity Seekers PR .