County Industrial Supplies is a privately-owned business based in Cwmbran. It supplies a wide range of specialist equipment and tools to trade, industry, engineering highly specialist and some retail customers, by building an extension to the rear.

The business, which employs 11 people and turned over £1.8m in 2013, has been established for more than three decades.

Apprentices remain at the heart of its recruitment growth plans with Luke Gardener, from Cwmbran and Jake Smith, from Varteg, both aged 19, the latest recruits to follow that training path with the business.

James Pugh, of County Industrial Supplies, said: "We have always used the apprentice scheme as it gives us a chance to look at someone and give them a try without any pressure on them or us if it does not work out. Also with them coming out of school they will not have picked up to many bad habits from other employers so we can mould them in to the type of employee we require while also giving them the freedom to express themselves,

" It’s a great way of contributing towards the local community and being part of it. I remember when I was leaving school and was asked what I enjoy doing, at the time it was sport, so the careers adviser suggested I do a sports science course. Looking back that was rubbish advice as, at the end of the course, I was limited to what jobs I could apply for. A lot of people leave higher education not knowing what they want to do. This apprentice scheme, therefore, enables them to try a variety of different jobs while gaining good qualifications and under no pressure.

"We have worked with Torfaen Training for years and they have found us some excellent apprentices over the years. We had one who started with us 11 years ago who is now a valuable member of the team who offers guidance and support to our new apprentices."

Luke Gardner, age 19, of Cwmbran, is completing his apprenticeship in customer service.

Luke attended Fairwater Comprehensive School leaving with A levels in physical education and IT has been at County Industrial Supplies for 10 months.

Luke said: “I didn’t want to go on to university after school. I wanted to get into work straight away and signing up for an apprenticeship, which means learning and earning at the same time, really appealed.

“I knew about County Industrial Supplies as they are a well established and reputable business. The idea of working in the showroom learning about the various pieces of equipment, tools and other products that they sell and interacting with all there very many clients was the kind of thing I saw myself doing and enjoying.

“I was very pleased to be offered the apprenticeship and have enjoyed myself here from day one. There is always s a lot to learn but what is particularly good is that there is always someone on hand if for example a customer asks for something that is a little bit obscure and I don’t know about I can talk to one of the other more experienced people in the showroom. That way I learn about the various products and next time you’ll be sure I know what it is the customer wants.

“Its great dealing with the various customers finding out about what they do and being able to supply them with exactly what it is they require. It's very rewarding and satisfying and I’m learning all the time.”

Fellow apprentices Jake Smith, also 19, works as an administration assistant and has been at County Industrial Supplies for just under a year.

Jake, from Varteg, near Pontypool and Luke both gained their apprenticeships at the firm where they now work through local provider Torfaen Training.

Jake who attended Abersychan Comprehensive School before studying at Pontypool College said: “I enjoy the fact that am working, being trained and gaining experience all at the same time.

“I was looking for office based work to put my IT skills to good use and was very pleased to get the apprenticeship with County Industrial Supplies, via Careers Wales and Torfaen Training, which suits me down to the ground.

“It’s a very enjoyable working environment. There is always something new to learn and understand and experienced people in the office to turn to if I need help or advice.”

The pair of apprentices have frequent progress meetings with their Torfaen Training tutors to ensure that they are developing as they should and to address any issues that may arise.

Kymin Group is based in Newport. It currently employs 21-year-old Jade Hanbury, of Abergavenny, as an apprentice, which is the first time it has employed an apprentice.

Chris Tayler, operations director, said: "We felt it was a fantastic opportunity provided by the Welsh Government to employ an ambitious 16-24 year old. The funding we receive pays for all of Jade’s training to take her through the apprentice scheme.

"We wanted to employ a young person with the view to moulding them to exactly the way that we work. There has been a lot of change within our industry over the past couple of years so we saw the apprenticeship scheme as an opportunity to train someone from scratch.

"With the new emphasis on providing a more structured service for clients we needed to continue to build our client services team. This part of the business is key in the new regulated environment and it also means that we continue to provide a first class service to clients.

"I would definitely encourage other businesses to look at apprenticeships. If you are looking for an ambitious 16-24 year old that is willing to learn then taking on an apprentice is the way forward. Our view is they are like a blank canvas that you can train to do things the right way which is imperative within the finance industry."

Jade Hanbury said: "I went to Cowley Language College in St Helens where I achieved GCSE’s in Maths, English Science BTEC Sport and RE. My higher education was at St Helens College, where I studied sport related courses. These were, Level 3 National Award in Sport,OCR Level 2 NVQ in Sport, Recreation and Allied Occupations: Activity Leadership, FA Level 1, Level 2 in Basketball and Volleyball,Level 1 in Racquet sports and I alsogained an OCR Level 2 Key Skill in ICT.

"I am currently participating in an apprenticeship, studying Level 2 in Business Administration. This apprenticeship with Kymin is for six months, but the qualification can take up to 12 months to achieve.

"The apprenticeship is not linked to a college but is part funded by the Welsh Government. At the end of the apprenticeship I would have hoped to develop my knowledge and gain experience in Business Administration with personal skills by working in an office environment. I decided to develop my work experience, by utilising the apprenticeship scheme. Working in an office environment will only help my work based employment."

Newport-based manufacturer IAC Ltd has been employing apprentices since it opened in 1989.

Kath Lewis, of IAC, said: "We employ apprentices to provide a continuous stream of engineering trained employees. Every company which has a long term plan needs to know where they will get the engineers of tomorrow. If no-one trained engineers, where would they come from?

"Apart from aptitude, we also look for a good attitude and a willingness to work hard. We warn them right from the interview stage that if they think they are dropping mathematics because they are leaving school then they should forget looking for an engineering position. Commitment and a real interest in engineering are two qualities we look for at interview. An aptitude for maths is a must for anyone aspiring for an engineering apprenticeship.

"Being with us for four years enables the apprentice to see the diverse projects that we are involved in in a multitude of process industries, Metals, Paper, Steel, Water, Nuclear etc etc. although not making, in most cases, a direct contribution to the projects, they do see the projects going through and as I said it should enable them to hit the ground running when they complete their 4 years. it allows us to develop our people and train them to suit our business

"Retaining trained staff is important. After investing four years in their training we want them to progress within IAC in whatever department chosen. The training never really stops as each new project generates a new challenge. Using the skill they have acquired, and continually acquire, is the added value. Customers like the fact that we have an apprentice plan. They enthuse about what we are doing as we are unfortunately unique – not many companies are now doing apprenticeships. I wish it was not the case.

One employee who has gone through the apprentice scheme is 27-year-old Matthew Hart.

He said: "I decided on an apprenticeship as I didn’t enjoy the disjointed days in college doing A-Levels and I preferred a quick route into work with training provided.

"The apprenticeship taught me to work hard and not to expect an easy ride to get to where I wanted to be. It also helped me appreciate all aspects of a company and understand that the running of a company depends on everyone, not just the senior people. This will stand me in good stead for the rest of my working life.

"I'd encourage others to follow the apprentice route because I feel you get greater job satisfaction and enjoyment working your way to the position you want to be in a particular company and in your career overall."