Rixonway: ‘You’re hired!’

A Dewsbury manufacturer is doing its bit to tackle youth unemployment as it takes on new apprentices.
Rixonway Kitchens apprentices Jerome Austin, 19, Gemma Gibson, 20, Laura Brentnall, 20, and Josh Smith, 18.Rixonway Kitchens apprentices Jerome Austin, 19, Gemma Gibson, 20, Laura Brentnall, 20, and Josh Smith, 18.
Rixonway Kitchens apprentices Jerome Austin, 19, Gemma Gibson, 20, Laura Brentnall, 20, and Josh Smith, 18.

Rixonway Kitchens has hired two new apprentices and offered permanent positions to two more.

The company, based in Churwell Vale, has also pledged to hire four more apprentices over the next 12 months. School leavers Laura Brentnall, 19, from Earlsheaton Technology College, and Joshua Smith, 18, from St John Fisher Catholic High School, have been given one-year apprenticeships.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Laura will work in the administration department and Joshua’s business apprenticeship will see him work across the firm before deciding a preference.

Meanwhile administration apprentice Gemma Gibson, 20, has been hired as a contract co-ordinator while transport office apprentice Jerome Austin, 19, is now a purchasing planning assistant.

Paul Rose, chief executive of Rixonway Kitchens, said: “We have experience of supporting apprentices at Rixonway and as the second biggest employer in the region see it as our duty to offer young people a good start in working life. The idea that manufacturing is an unskilled industry is long gone and we offer a range of career opportunities for apprentices in different areas of the business.”

With the Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealing the unemployment rate for 16 to 24-year-olds has risen to 21%, both were understandably delighted at securing the jobs.

Related topics: