ONE of Somerset’s biggest employers is keen to continuing providing apprenticeships that set people up for a successful future.

The UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO), in Admiralty Way, Taunton, first started offering apprenticeships in 2016 and is excited to develop more courses to offer to the people of the South West.

The UKHO will be among those attending the Skills and Apprenticeships Show, organised by the Mercury's sister paper the County Gazette in association with the Somerset Chamber of Commerce, that takes place on March 22 at Taunton Rugby Club.

Amy Carrillo, head of human resources, said: “We are relatively new to the world of apprenticeships as we offered our first ones in 2016.

“We are really focused on developing our courses as it feels like we are giving something back.

“Our apprenticeships are for all ages, but as we previously hired graduates, we don’t feel like we have tapped into the local community yet.

“The younger you can get people involved, the wider their interest spreads.”

The company, which works to collect hydrographic and geo-spatial data for navigational products and services, will be offering a brand new apprenticeship to go alongside its existing courses next year.

Currently, the office runs apprenticeships in business administration, which spans across the business with different modules, finance AAT, professional apprenticeships such as human resources, cyber security, which is ran with the Ministry of Defence, and IT, which covers software, web and telecommunications.

From next year, the UKHO will be running data analysis apprenticeships with space for ten people of any age.

Mrs Carrillo added: “Our work is heading in a digital direction, it is taking us away from paper charts.

“Offering the apprenticeship gives us another route for skills, but we are competing with the rest of the South West.

“Data analysis skills are hard to find, it can really set people up for a successful future.”

The hydrographic company works with Bridgwater and Taunton College as its main training provider, and says it’s really important to maintain good relationships in the area.

Current apprentices will be attending the Skills and Apprenticeship Show alongside staff members to let people know what life is like at the office.

Representatives from UKHO will be coming with displays to get visitors excited about the skills it has to offer.

For more on the Somerset Skills and Apprenticeships Show visit www.countygazette.co.uk/somersetskillsshow