SCHOOL leavers are increasingly turning to the professionals when it comes to help with writing CVs and preparing for first job interviews.

Local recruitment company eResponse claims the number of young people it is putting into local apprenticeship positions is set to grow through the help and support it's giving them

The Redditch-based jobs and training provider is helping budding apprentices across the county to gain confidence and strengthen their chances in the jobs market by supporting them with interview skills and techniques to impress would-be employers.

Louise Ward from eResponse Group, said: “What we aim to do with all our apprentices is turn the qualifications and skills they have gained from school into the experience and understanding of the workplace that employers expect, allowing them to play an active role in such a fast paced, professional business as AMS International.

"We found that 16-year-old Tilly Winter was a perfect fit for AMS International in Redditch, which she joined as a sales admin support worker straight from school via the eResponse apprentice network. Tilly is very enthusiastic and conscientious and with the skills and support she has received from eResponse, she has hit the ground running and is making a real impact in a business that provides real exposure to what is a fascinating global business environment. Apprenticeships are a two-way street, requiring an obvious investment from employers but they also need their new workers to be ready to make an immediate contribution to the success of their business. And that’s where we come in.”

Scott Murphy, head of HR at AMS International, added: “We’ve used eResponse for a long time as they have consistently proved to be the right organisation to find the right people to meet our needs. They’ve done so again with Tilly as an apprentice, who has fitted right in and is already a real asset to our business. Knowing that she will have regular visits and support from eResponse is a huge incentive for us to take on young workers and to continue to invest in the next generation of our workforce.”

AMS International, which also has offices in Shanghai and Singapore, has its UK headquarters in Padgets Lane, South Moons Moat, Redditch, where it employs over 200 people and has been working with eResponse for 12 years.