Two new starters have joined the team at a Shropshire PR agency as the firm continues its commitment to supporting school leavers and graduates.
Libby Everson and Eleanor Jones were both offered jobs at Wellington-based agency J&PR Ltd after they excelled during voluntary work experience placements.
The two aspiring PR and marketing executives now join directors Kirsty Smallman and Rhea Alton - along with the rest of their team - at the company offices on Church Street.
Libby, 18, who lives in Wellington, was studying A-levels at Shrewsbury College when she enjoyed a week’s work experience placement at J&PR. Undecided on whether she wanted to go to university or do an apprenticeship, Libby turned to directors Kirsty and Rhea for advice.
Kirsty said: “We talked through Libby’s options for career routes within the industry and offered our support and advice. We didn’t want to influence her decision fully, but were delighted when she came back to us and said she would be looking into an apprenticeship and would like to complete it with us here at J&PR.
“Libby is now a multi-channel marketing apprentice with Shrewsbury-based provider SBC Training and has been a great asset to the team.”
Eleanor, 21, from Bicton Heath, Shrewsbury, applied for work experience at J&PR during her second year studying PR and Media at Birmingham City University.
Following a successful work placement, Kirsty and Rhea offered Eleanor a part-time job as a digital assistant, which she could do alongside her university lectures and her home study.
“I am very enthusiastic about work experience opportunities and I continually call for more Shropshire businesses to offer placements,” said Kirsty. “My work experience portfolio and references allowed me to get into the top Journalism degree course in the country, and I think work experience is more important than ever in the post-Covid world.
“Work experience placements are an important part of recruitment for an employer, as they offer a valuable recruitment pipeline - and for the student too, as they are given the opportunity to taste an industry and make their decision as to whether it is right for them.”
Rhea said that a qualification such as a degree,often did not provide the industry experience that businesses like J&PR are looking for, so Eleanor’s work experience was an extremely important part of the process.
She said: “Young people can access careers advice, listen to stories from colleagues and be inspired by those around them - or they may think it isn’t for them at the end of the experience, and that is equally as useful too. A few days, a week or regular visits can make a huge difference to the next steps for that person.
“We have recruited the majority of our team through work experience placements and Libby is now the third apprentice to go through the multi-channel marketing apprenticeship with SBC Training."
Pictured: Kirsty Smallman, Libby Everson, Eleanor Jones and Rhea Alton from J&PR Ltd in Wellington
