Following the launch of the Entire academy for Graphic Design the first commercially qualified apprentice has entered the workplace.

Kristina Ruffell has completed her apprenticeship in Graphic Design whilst being in full time employment at Entire Marketing. The management team at Entire set up the design academy after Kerry Gibbons, Managing Director, had the inspiration to offer a viable alternative the academic qualifications in the deign industry. The academy launched in late 2007 following several months of negotiation with the LSC, Private Training Providers and various funding organisations. Despite support from the local MP the Directors were unable to secure any funding and the project has been launched and funded by the business, despite the venture meeting agenda points for development and training as well as generating employment opportunities. Most of the organisations contacted said that they would be wiling to support the venture when it had succeeded in progressing individuals to employment or higher education.

Kerry Gibbons, MD of Entire commented "My idea for the academy was to offer opportunities to individuals who were either not suited for higher education or not fortunate enough to be able to explore these avenues. The apprenticeships offer the opportunities to Earn while you learn giving both formal qualifications and commercial experience at the same time. We wanted a feel good factor about our business and thought that this venture provided that. The lack of available funding did not stop the academy launch but it has certainly made it a much smaller scale initially."

The academy has offered work placements to people classed as NEET (Not in Education Employment or Training) providing them with tangible work experience over a 12 week period helping them to progress either back into education or move on to employment. The academy has also helped an experienced graphic designer gain elements of a professional qualification which has then seen them secure a place at Staffordshire University.

Kristina Ruffell said about the scheme " Entire offered me the perfect opportunity as I had tried University but decided that it was not for me and was unsure about my future career. The chance to Earn and Learn was very appealing especially as I got to work on prestigious national accounts meaning I was completing actual live jobs instead of "Role play" work." Following her qualification Kristina now has a full time position within the design studio and will be mentoring future apprentices.

Entire plan to further market the academy to the print trade as the cheaper wages mean that they are able to fulfill pre press artwork at very low rates which enables their apprentices to gain experience and build their project portfolio. Their aim is to have up to 10 apprentices which when qualified will either join the Entire Team or be placed with other businesses.To find out more about the academy please contact the Entire Team.