Lanchester Wine Cellars

Katie Briggs.JPGAS ONE of the country’s leading wine merchants, Lanchester Wine Cellars is hoping its 30th anniversary year will be a busy and successful one.

Throughout that time, the company has helped many apprentices to progress, some of whom have gone on to have rewarding careers within the business.

Director Veronica Cleary explained: “The good thing with apprentices is that we are able to train them from scratch and give them a thorough understanding of our business.

“Sometimes if you take on someone with a few years’ work experience, they can be set in their ways but a young apprentice comes to us with fresh ideas and an enthusiasm to help the business and themselves to progress.”

The latest apprentice to join the team at Lanchester Wine Cellars is 19-year-old Katie Briggs.

Katie, from Blackhill near Consett, is undertaking a two-year apprenticeship through Durham Business Club which will eventually lead to NVQ qualifications in accounting (AAT).

Combining regular work with a day in the classroom at Durham Business Club, suits Katie ideally.

She said: “It’s really good to be able to put into practice what I have learned. It gives you a chance to apply your studies in a working environment and within my own role rather than everything being theory based.

“Obviously it’s great to be paid rather than being at college but I enjoy being here as well – I like the people and the variety of the work.”

Katie’s day-to-day role tends to concentrate on accounts work such as inputting invoices and payments, maintaining the cash-book and credit control. But as with all apprentices at Lanchester Wine Cellars, she’s worked within the different departments to get an understanding of the business culture and how it all fits together.

Veronica added: “With all apprentices, we start them with some of the more mundane tasks and get them to meet all the staff in the different departments.

“That way they learn the basics quickly and how we work as a business. Katie is an excellent apprentice and has fitted in really well.”

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