Apprentice Abi blazes trail at DCCI

YOU’RE HIRED: From left, Matthew Butcher (The College sales and customer account manager Matthew Butcher), DCCI events manager Vikki Southern and apprentice Abigail Chapman

YOU’’RE HIRED: From left, Matthew Butcher, The College sales and customer account manager, DCCI events manager Vikki Southern and apprentice Abigail Chapman

TRAILBLAZING teenager Abigail Chapman has become Dorset Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s first events and marketing apprentice.

The 19 year old joins DCCI as the business support organisation demonstrates its faith in apprenticeships and sets a lead for employers to follow.

Her appointment also represents investment in DCCI’s events and marketing offering to its 800-strong membership as it continues to grow.

Abigail started at DCCI after signing up to Bournemouth and Poole College’s newly launched marketing apprenticeship in September. She is attending The College – a DCCI Platinum Business Partner – once a week.

Abigail, who studied A levels at Highcliffe School, said: “I was attracted by the opportunity at DCCI to come into contact with so many different businesses.

“It’s exciting to be the first events and marketing apprentice at DCCI and to be on The College’s first marketing apprenticeship course.

“Apprenticeships mean you can earn while you learn and I’m looking forward to contributing to the success of the Chamber but also developing my career too.”

DCCI, the voice of business in Dorset, holds up to 90 events every year for its members and their 37,000 employees.

Bournemouth and Poole College works with more than 2,000 businesses for its apprenticeship courses, with 94% of apprentices gaining employment after their course finishes.

Apprentice

Sales and customer account manager Matthew Butcher, who manages apprenticeship recruitment, said: “The marketing apprenticeship is a new type of course for us.

“It has been launched in response to demand from all sides and it is great that DCCI as a high visibility organisation is setting the lead for it.

“We are always keen to hear from students and employers who want to find out more about the wide range of apprenticeship opportunities available.”

Nineteen-strong DCCI has been leading the way to develop closer links between education and business, including its newly launched Young Chamber programme.

DCCI events manager Vikki Southern said: “We are pleased to work with The College as one of our Platinum Business Partners, showing just how worthwhile and valuable apprenticeships are.

“Abigail has made a great impression and is already proving to be a valuable member of the team.

“Her appointment is a signal of our intent to lead businesses to employ apprentices and represents further investment in our events and marketing offering to our membership.”

DCCI is the only chamber of commerce in Dorset accredited with the British Chambers of Commerce.

For more details contact account director James Tourgout on 07827 806400 and james.tourgout@deepsouthmedia.co.uk.