No, Sir Alan Sugar's not involved! But one Warwick Business is celebrating the success of their very own apprentice scheme. Corio Signs & Printing of Warwick are delighted with the difference printing protégé Luke has made to their business.

21 year old Luke, of Whitnash, Leamington, has just gained an NVQ Level 3 certicate in IT after becoming the first apprentice at Corio Signs and Printing in Warwick. In the six years since it was founded, the business has built up a base of over 500 clients and a turnover of £180,000 - and managing director David Guice believes that success is due in no small part to his decision to put apprentices at the heart of his business plan.

"When I started the business, I wanted to invest in state-of-the-art equipment and that meant employing someone with good IT skills," says the 51-year-old. People of Luke's age have grown up with computers. So it was an excellent fit because we gave him an opportunity to apply those skills in a commercial setting. And because we're a small company employing just four people, we needed an apprentice who would get stuck in and learn the ropes throughout the whole operation. It's thanks in no small part to Luke's contribution that the business has grown steadily and we're now looking at moving to a bigger site, where I intend to employ more apprentices."

Like many school-leavers, Luke was unsure of the best direction to take and enrolled on a full-time IT course at Warwickshire College. But he soon realised full-time study no longer suited him and was able to combine earning and learning when David agreed to hire him as his first apprentice.

"Doing an Apprenticeship has given me the best of both worlds," says Luke. "It's meant I've been learning a trade, earning money and still attending college on day release. I've also had the support of a mentor who comes and checks how I'm getting on."

Trainer Maureen Bensa, of Warwickshire College, said: "Full-time study isn't for every teenager but we knew Luke was bright and were delighted that Corio gave him the opportunity to fulfil his potential as an apprentice."

...........................

Corio Signs and Printing of Warwick

Heathcote Industrial Estate

Warwick

CV34 6TD

01926 422262