A unique partnership between Basildon-based courier Company Abby Couriers and Ixion Holdings of Chelmsford has provided a golden opportunity for 19-year-old Jody Bronze - an apprenticeship leading to an accountancy qualification.
Managing Director of Abby Couriers, Mark Giles, said: "At Abby Couriers we are keen to support our staff in gaining extra skills and qualifications that will help them with their careers while at the same time help deliver a first class service to our customers.
"A key part of that service is making sure our support services including the accounts department are delivering at maximum efficiency so we were pleased to be able to recruit a new apprentice to join that team.
"Jody Bronze, who lives on Canvey Island, has good A Level, AS Level and GCSE grades so will be an excellent addition to our Head Office team and thanks to funding from Ixion Holdings in Chelmsford will be receiving training leading to Association of Accounting Technician qualifications.
"Under the apprenticeship scheme Abby Couriers will pay Jody's salary and the training costs will be covered by Ixion Holdings which is an ideal combination for success."
Jody Bronze said: "Having left Southend College in 2008 with a good collection of A and AS levels I have been doing casual work while looking for the right opportunity which will give me a good career.
"This accountancy apprenticeship with Abby Couriers seems ideal with lots of scope for development within a forward looking and invocative company that is expanding.
"I am looking forward to working with the team at Abby Couriers and help them to continue delivering a high level of service to their customers within the friendly atmosphere of a family run firm."
With almost 200 staff the firm has more than 175 drivers on the road providing Same Day Delivery Services across the United Kingdom and Europe for key clients who include DHL, FEDEX and TNT.
Abby Couriers is a member of the National Courier Association, the Federation of Small Businesses and Essex Chambers of Commerce.