A Bradford electrical retailer has become the first in the area to use new Government funding to take on a promising 17-year-old who impressed during work experience.

SS Audio Vision has recruited Soheel Amjid as an apprentice at its James Street store after securing a grant under the Apprenticeship Grant for Employers 16-17 scheme.

With grants to other companies in the pipeline, the National Apprenticeship Service has appealed for more employers to register for funding through apprenticeships.org.uk by tomorrow.

The AGE 16-17 scheme offers a £2,500 bonus for each unemployed 16 or 17-year-old they take on.

Soheel is embarking on a retail apprenticeship in partnership with Bradford Distributive Training Services, an apprenticeship training provider in Westgate, Bradford.

Dr Kully Johal, SS Audio managing director, said: “The scheme has enabled us to offer a promising young person a chance in life at a time when trading conditions remain very difficult.

“Soheel came to us on work experience and showed great aptitude but the economic climate meant we could not hire him without some financial support. This scheme means that he will now undertake proper training with a job at the end of it to help him achieve his potential.”

Soheel said: “Having left school and been unemployed for a while, I was worried about my future career prospects, but this opportunity has turned my life around.”

Nick Wilson, regional director for the National Apprenticeship Service, said: “It’s fantastic that these new grants are providing opportunities and opening doors to talented young apprentices such as Soheel whilst providing a boost to employers in the current economic climate. We’ve been overwhelmed by the level of commitment we have received about the AGE 16-17 from employers, but would now urge more 16-17 year olds to register their interest.”

For details of the scheme, phone 08000 150 600.