Morgan sets the bar high with new apprenticeship

A 19-year-old from Redcar has embarked on a promising career in the catering and hospitality trade after gaining an apprenticeship at a popular Saltburn café bar thanks to our New Directions team.

Morgan Speirs began his apprenticeship at Milo’s Café Bar in Saltburn in October after receiving vital job search and funding support from the New Directions team and has already made an impression on owner Janet Dalton. After taking over the Destinations Café in the popular coastal town in 2018, Janet rebranded and refitted the café to become Milo’s Café Bar, introducing a night-time bar service, and was looking for an apprentice to add to her team.

Janet was introduced to the New Directions team in Redcar through Northern Skills Group to help fill the vacancy and after reviewing a shortlist of suitable candidates, Janet was delighted to offer Morgan the role thanks to his enthusiasm and bar experience.  Morgan soon began his new apprenticeship and is already proving to be indispensable.

New Directions supports people aged 15 to 29 who are not in education, employment or training with specialist support, information advice and guidance, training, mentoring, apprenticeships, job placements and further education to help these young people meet the needs of local employers. It has a proven track record of matching jobseekers to the needs of a business.

The young apprentice was supported by New Directions through a week’s trial period in his new role to ensure the position was right for Janet and Morgan, as well as receiving funding for his travel costs and the provision of a uniform.

Morgan said: “I’d recommend anyone looking for an opportunity to consider an apprenticeship. I am really enjoying the job and was so pleased to be offered the chance with Milo’s Café Bar. The support from New Directions was really important and helped me to get the start I really wanted.

“Janet and the team are lovely to work with and the customers are great too so I’m really looking forward to the future.”

Johanna Watts, Employer Engagement Officer said: “We were able to support Janet and Morgan to ensure everything was in place for a successful outcome and I’m delighted it is working out so well for both of them. I’m so pleased for Morgan, he’s found something he really enjoys, and I think he’ll be fantastic in the role “

Janet said: “Morgan began his apprenticeship in the build-up to my busiest period, and even offered to work New Year’s Eve in the bar. He is keen, hard working and an asset to the café and thanks to the advice and support we have received from Johanna and the New Directions team, Morgan has already made a great impression at Milo’s Café Bar with the team and customers alike.”