Apprentice achieves service desk management role at 20

Former apprentice Jordan Charlesworth has been appointed service desk manager at cloud computing specialist WorkPlaceLive at the tender age of 20.

“Jordan joined us as an apprentice in 2013 at the age of 17 with no previous work experience,” said WorkPlaceLive CEO Joseph Blass.

“But his skills, technically and in customer care, drew management’s attention and he was promoted to second line support immediately when his apprenticeship ended in 2014. Now he is Service Desk Manager and will manage a team of 10, some of whom are more than double his age.”

WorkPlaceLive has a policy of taking on and nurturing apprentices. As a result, 25 per cent of its workforce comprises apprentices and employees who started with the company as apprentices.

Blass continued: “Our experience with apprentices has been amazing. In particular we have been fortunate to hire some who within months have shown maturity, care and leadership.

“For generations, young people were able to advance rapidly in the armed forces, regardless of their background. We have also become accustomed to seeing young leading entrepreneurs in high-tech.”

Charlesworth added: “WorkPlaceLive has been a great place for me to work, learn and develop. All my co-workers have been extremely supportive and I’m looking forward to leading the Service Desk and living up to the expectations of my colleagues and our customers alike.”