Four new apprentices at former steelworks

The four, who are working in the office, at live events and in the kitchen, are also spending one day a week at Rotherham College as part of their apprenticeships.

John Silker, chief executive of Magna, said: “We are very much part of the South Yorkshire business community here, so it made sense to offer apprenticeships to help get young people into employment.

“And what is so great is that we need such a wide range of skills to run Magna, so we can offer apprenticeships in such diverse areas.”

One of the apprentices, 17 year old Molly Charlesworth, who is on an intermediate apprenticeship in business administration, said: “I am really busy, but it really is great fun and I am learning so much too. And the best thing is that everyone has made me so welcome.”

Molly, who is from Barnsley and a former Horizon Community College student, is working with the corporate sales team.

The others, who are joining the 70 or so staff at Magna, are Amelia Round, aged 17, who is doing an advanced apprenticeship in live events and promotions; Alex Torr, aged 18, who is doing an advanced apprenticeship in engineering, and 20-year-old Lewis Cross, who is doing an intermediate apprenticeship in professional cookery.

Charlie Grayson, senior business consultant at Rotherham College, said: “It’s brilliant that places like Magna give young people a chance to work and learn in a real environment.

“And you can see that the young people are enjoying the work because they are so enthusiastic.”

Magna offers corporate venue space for events catering for five people up to 5,000. It hosts everything from major business conferences to live music events.

As well as being a venue, it is an award-winning visitor attraction, with more than 100 hands-on exhibits designed to explore the four elements of air, water, earth and fire. It also hosts regular school trips.