The latest batch of apprentices at Dorset’s Wessex Group has graduated ready to embark on careers within Wessex Electricals and Wessex Fire & Security.

They have completed either three- or four-year courses of on-the-job training, with periods spent at Bournemouth or Yeovil College.

It was in 1964 when the family-owned company, headquartered in Shaftesbury, took on its first apprentice who stayed with Wessex his entire career, retiring as managing director of Wessex Electricals.

Ange Roberts, head of Human Resources for the group, said, “Wessex has always believed in the benefit of apprenticeships and we’ve been training apprentices for more than 50 years.

“Our apprentices get paid significantly more that the national minimum apprentice rate and receive a very varied education because of the wide nature of work our companies do.

“The fact there is clear career progression within Wessex is an attractive feature of employment with us.

“We are now looking towards next year’s intake of apprentice electricians and fire and security engineers – which will be our 55^th year recruiting local youngsters.

“We consider it part of our wider responsibility to help train the next generation.”

For more information about becoming a Wessex apprentice contact recruitment@wessex.org