Natalie Campbell and Rebecca Jackson

Building a career is a challenge for most school leavers, but Natalie Campbell knew that early experience was the key to constructing her future.

Natalie, 18 and from Gateshead, started laying the foundations for her working life at the age of 14 when she joined the first group of youngsters to take part in a Young Apprenticeship scheme with Access.

The two year programme, in conjunction with Kingsmeadow Community Comprehensive School in Dunston where Natalie was a pupil, allowed her to complete a valuable work placement with James Burrell Building Merchants in Gateshead.

As well as completing her course, she also secured the runner-up spot in the company’s first young apprenticeship awards before being fast tracked to a post 16 Apprenticeship in Business and Administration.

Still being guided by Access, Natalie is now working as a clerical assistant with A H Property Services and said: “I feel lucky to have been able to take part in the Young Apprenticeship scheme as it helped me to progress much more quickly. I enjoy my studies and I love working within the property industry. I’m able to get involved in all aspects of admin and I want to take on further courses when this one is complete.”

Her supervisor, office manager Rebecca Jackson, said: “Natalie came to us with a great grounding and was far more advanced than I would have expected. She is a real asset to the team and I’m confident she will continue to improve her skills.”

An Advanced Apprenticeship will be the next building block for Natalie and operations director at Access, Christine Scott, is sure she’ll take it in her stride: “Young Apprenticeships are at the heart of the government’s education strategy for 14-19 year-olds as they help instil students with a strong work ethic, which is an attribute respected by businesses.

“Natalie has shown how they can help young people make the right career choice and progress smoothly into the world of work.”