An international company door-stepped its new apprentices with congratulation cards, chocolates and champagne to tell them their job applications had been successful.
Harriet Harper, of Ashlyns School, and Tiffany Choules and Paige Cooper, of Tring School, were accepted onto Grass Roots apprenticeship schemes and surprised with the news when Grass Roots HR project manager Trish Breen and her colleague Karen Hodges visited their homes.
The schemes, which launched last year, aim to grow local talent and provide an attractive alternative to university.
The successful applicants learn while being part of an award-winning team and can study part-time towards a higher education qualification.
They earn a salary and receive a generous benefits package and, most importantly, they can look forward to a continued role with the company at the end of their apprenticeship.
Harriet, who started working in the digital marketing and loyalty department last Monday, said: “I couldn’t stop screaming when I found out. We just had this knock on the door and when they told us, I felt so happy and my mum started crying.
“I’m loving the job so my plans are to focus on the programme for the next two years.
“Grass Roots is a company I would love to stay working for.”
Ms Breen said: “We recognise how tough it is for pupils coming out of school to get on the job ladder and we are keen to develop the talent in our local community. It’s not just a benevolent gesture.”