Apprentice’s full time role

Joshua Spencer’s 18-month apprenticeship came to an end last month and, upon completion, he was taken on as a membership officer at the chamber’s head office.

Joshua, 19, of Orders Lane, Kirkham, started his Preston’s College apprenticeship at the chamber in October 2013.

He said: “I put together a CV and applied for a few apprenticeships through the college based on what I was suited to.

“I was offered an interview at the chamber and got the job. It wasn’t what I had expected to do at first but I fell in love with it.

“It was great for me to cut my teeth as an apprentice and then to be offered a full-time job at the end of it.”

Joshua, (pictured), a former Carr Hill High School and Sixth Form student, has worked in the chamber’s membership team – which recruits new chamber members and retains existing ones – since he began his apprenticeship.

He said: “It is a great team and we all get along really well. I am really grateful to all my colleagues, it is such a good atmosphere to work in and everyone is helpful and friendly.

“I was given my own areas of responsibility within the team, mainly in helping with the organisation while my colleagues went out on visits and meetings, so I always felt very valued.”

Chief executive of the NWLCC, which employs 22, Babs Murphy said: “Joshua has done very well since he started with us and it was an easy decision to take him on once he completed his apprenticeship.

“As an organisation that represents the business community in our area it is important for us to set a good example by taking on apprentices and helping them develop.”