Opticians sees vacancy filled in just one week

Monday 16 July 2012 0:00

An optician in Sale has had the foresight to appoint a new receptionist in just one week.

Maloney Optician, on School Road, has clearly seen the benefits of Apprenticeships and has taken on 17 year old Savannah Walker-Ellis with the help of leading national training and employability provider, Intraining.

The local company was approached by Intraining who were able to offer a free recruitment and matching service to then provide them with a short-list of four candidates. 

Optometrist Michael John Maloney, who is also a partner in the business with his wife Gabriele, said: “After we had no luck in recruiting a suitable receptionist we approached Intraining.  We were blown away with the calibre of interviewees that they sent us and the fact that they did everything – at no cost – really helped.  In just one week we’d gone through the whole process which meant we didn’t have to get bogged down in sifting through CVs and replying to everyone, the staff at Intraining did all that for us.”

Recruiting an apprentice was also a new idea to Michael and Gabriele but it has come with its own merits.  Not only are they giving Savannah the chance to develop her career whilst working towards a nationally recognised qualification, but as a small business taking on its first apprentice, Maloney’s is eligible for a £1500 government grant.

“It’s a win win situation!” said Michael.

For Savannah it is the opportunity she has been waiting for.  After leaving school she attended South Trafford College for a brief time but decide it wasn’t for her.  Since then she has been employed, full time, as a cleaner with JCS Cleaning Solutions.

The opportunities that have been presented to her since being introduced to Intraining have made her think more about her career and her future.

“I’d never thought about an Apprenticeship,” she said, “but when the staff at Intraining talked to me about the benefits it would bring and how I’d get to learn on the job I knew it was the right path for me.”

Michael, Gabriele and the Intraining team will work with Savannah to decide the best Apprenticeship route (Business Administration or Customer Service) for her to follow given her skills, experience and goals.

Natalie Burney, Learner Engagement Consultant at Intraining, said: “I was so pleased to be able to give Savannah the good news that she had got the job.  I know that the team at Maloney will support and guide her through her Apprenticeship.

“At a time when youth unemployment is at an all time high, it’s great to be in a position to be able to help those who really want to develop their careers.”

Ends