A nursery and pre-school group with branches across the South West is creating 50 new apprenticeship jobs.
Mama Bear’s said it had launched its apprenticeship programme to encourage people to consider a career in the early years industry. The group has sites in Bristol, Yeovil, Taunton, Paignton, Torquay and Plymouth.
Managing director Chris Marston said the company hoped to attract people studying childcare or those with an interest in it who have worked in other industries, such as retail and hospitality.
He said the group was prepared to pay its new apprentices £7.50 an hour - up from the required £4.15 for workers aged 19 and over in their first year - to attract "quality candidates".
"Introducing this level of pay is a revolutionary step in how we are doing things," he said. "This programme [is] an attractive opportunity for anyone looking for a head start in their career, or perhaps a new one altogether."
Mr Marston said Mama Bear's was hoping to provide people in "less stable" industries, who have always had an interest or passion for childcare, with the tools and training to become early-years practitioners.
“Many of our previous apprentices have moved on to qualified roles in the business including team leaders and nursery managers," he said. "We want to attract the next generation of talent within the organisation.”
Apprentices who join the programme will be given the opportunity to explore any areas of specialist childcare which interest them, according to the nursery group.
The training scheme also includes ongoing learning support, with hands-on experience, and a mixed programme of mandatory and voluntary training sessions held twice-weekly.
The apprentices will also contribute to the monthly theme planning and day-to-day activity planning of the nursery where they are based, and will be involved in regular staff meetings.
Mr Martson added: “Apprenticeships are no longer solely for school and college-leavers, they provide a vital stepping-stone for anyone looking for a stable and rewarding career.”
