Local property management company sees Apprenticeships as a good long term investment

With over 25 years of experience, Bedford based Jayne Beard Associates specialises in property management, in addition to being domestic and commercial estate agents. Jane Cain, Director at the company has recently taken on apprentice Elis Danby Smith from Bedford College and has been impressed with the way the Apprenticeship scheme works.

“We've had office juniors in the past but that was quite a few years ago, so we felt that it was time to bring some fresh blood into the company and also give someone under 18 a chance to get their foot on the career ladder, so the Apprenticeship scheme was perfect for us.”

“There’s no doubt that the Government funding has helped us to be able to recruit Elis.  On the one hand we get financial support for wages and training and on the other hand the apprentice is paid for their time in work and College in addition to gaining a national qualification at the end of it.  So everybody wins!”

Jane went on to explain that Bedford College were the natural Apprenticeship partner for them, not only because they are located in Bedford but also because her son has been studying there and doing really well.  She has been very pleased with the support they have received from the College, from the very beginning with the calibre of candidates to the ongoing training and feedback. Elis attends College once a week on a Friday so disruption to the working week is kept to a minimum and he even comes back to the office after his lessons finish.

Jane said, “Elis is getting some excellent experience with us.  It’s not just filing and making teas and coffees! He’s been involved in a wide variety of roles including answering the phones and supporting both the lettings and the sales departments.”

“The Apprenticeship scheme has worked out very well for us and I really encourage any local company to reconsider the under 18s as a recruitment option.  Apprenticeships offer great value for money in tough economic times and with Bedford College’s support they can be a great success.  We would definitely consider taking on another apprentice, in fact we’re thinking about recruiting someone for our Rushden office in the very near future.”