THE Daily Echo has demonstrated its commitment to training by providing four jobs for young apprentices learning business administration.

Lucy Renahan, Louise Bradbrook, Lauren Calamari and Sophie Baker-Stroud are all training as apprentices with Bournemouth training provider Paragon.

None of the girls had thought of working for a newspaper when they approached Paragon for an apprenticeship, but are now enjoying jobs in advertising at the Daily Echo.

The Echo provides trainees with the commitment of guaranteed work for the 15 months of their apprenticeship, then they have the option to apply for internal vacancies or move on to other employers.

Paragon's David Storton said: "Apprenticeships are a great start for young people because they provide the skills and experience they need. If they then move on, they can pursue a career with increased confidence and skills.

"The Daily Echo takes on more business administration apprentices than most employers for its size and most apprentices secure a job within the paper. Its commitment to a job for the period of the apprenticeship and to providing ongoing job opportunities shows how much it believes in training as part of its way of doing business."