AN INSURANCE broker from Aust has announced a new apprenticeship scheme starting this year to help develop career paths for young people.

Brightside Group, whose head office is based in the former service station by the M48 Severn Bridge, are opening applications for the scheme next Tuesday, with six places on offer to start in September.

The two-year placement would start the apprentices working in the call centre, but would include a number of opportunities to work towards qualifications recognised by industry bodies.

“There are a huge amount of talented individuals, especially in this area, and not all might be able to afford, or want to go to university,” said Richard Mackinnon from Brightside.

“We want to harness that talent and give a hands-on opportunity to work within our fast-paced, vibrant industry.

“It’s not just coming in and working on the phones, our apprentices will be given the chance to learn the business from the ground up.

“We hope that within the two years of the apprenticeship, they would have the industry standard qualifications and experience to move into a number of new and exciting opportunities within the business.”

On Tuesday, April 12, the day the apprenticeship is launched, the company will be visiting The Castle School in Thornbury to talk to students the apprenticeship, with a similar talk being delivered to Marlwood School on Monday, April 18.

“This apprenticeship shows we are working to grow our own talent internally, and demonstrates our commitment to working with the local community and schools.

“We are very grateful for our partnership with the Premium Partners for Schools, and for their support, and giving us the chance to talk to the students about the apprenticeship.”

Applications for the scheme will be open from April 12 to June 24.

For more information on the apprenticeship, email brightstart@brightsidegroup.co.uk, phone 01454 634880 or follow @yourbrightstart on Twitter.