APPRENTICES are feeling positive about following a different career route after the success of their Winchester placements.

Winchester-based ProcessFlows has taken on six candidates from colleges in Hampshire.

The trainees, who come from Eastleigh College and PETA Training and Consultancy Services in Portsmouth, said instead of getting saddled with hefty student loans they chose to work while forging their career.

Billie McClelland joined ProcessFlows’ marketing team in March 2014 and she is currently working towards a business and administration NVQ Level 2 qualification.

Billie said she chose an apprenticeship because college never fully appealed to her in the way working and earning a wage did, but she still wanted to gain more qualifications.

“An apprenticeship is a brilliant choice for me,” she said. “Working, whilst learning, suits me better than college based learning.

“ProcessFlows is an inspiring company to work for with a great working environment.

“I’m looking forward to progressing within the company and learning new skills which will enable me to complete tasks independently and further contribute to marketing.”

Rachel Langston has been working in the ProcessFlows marketing department since 2012.

She completed her NVQ Level 2 in business administration and is now working towards completing Level 3, with a view to continuing her career in the ProcessFlows marketing team.

She said: “It’s great to be able to learn new skills while earning a salary. My days are very varied.

“I can be tasked with anything from office administration, website work or collating reports, through to running webinars, attending client and partner events and helping to organise the company Christmas party.

“My role has helped to build my confidence and I’ve learned a lot about marketing and the benefits of business process solutions in real business environments.”

Managing director Chris Thompson said: “Offering apprenticeships enables us to recruit new talent and fill specific gaps in our workforce, without incurring recruitment and training costs.

“The apprentices are paid from day one and learn valuable new skills along the way, so everyone benefits.

“I would recommend to any business wanting to attract high calibre young talent to find out about apprenticeship schemes.

“Our apprentices are motivated and committed members of the workforce, fulfilling roles which add real value to the business.

“The Government has made it much easier for companies to take on apprentices and funding is available to incentivise employers.”