The Apprentice Store Are On The Move
Managing Director David Massey pictured with Hagen Wagner, Highland Opportunity (Investments) Limited Investment Manager
Highland Opportunity (Investments) Limited (HOIL) has recently provided The Apprentice Store with funding towards their ambitious business development. HOIL, The Highland Council’s business loan company, supports Highland based businesses and encourages applications from all business sectors, including community organisations. Interested businesses benefit from straightforward loan conditions and a tailored offer to support their project. HOIL has financially supported more than 1,200 local start-up businesses, community organisations and growth projects within the Highland Business community since it was established in 1986.
The Apprentice Store approached HO(IL) for a working capital loan to help achieve their growth aspirations. Currently based in the Impact Hub on Castle Street, they are about to relocate to Impact Hub’s new, second premises on Academy Street, where they will be the flag ship tenant of an innovative, vibrant and friendly collaborative office space in the centre of Inverness.
The Apprentice Store was founded in 2016 and have a unique setup, whereby they support employment of young people and inclusivity on an apprenticeship basis, led by a number of mentors. To date, the company has trained and employed more than 23 young people. The business understands how important computer systems are in a modern business. From their Scottish base in Inverness they offer a range of quality remote IT services for small and medium sized businesses throughout the United Kingdom and Europe.
Councillor Paul Oldham, Chair of HOIL said: “The Apprentice Store's way of working, that encourages young people to work in IT while staying in the Highlands rather than feeling they have to move away, has got to be good news for the Highland economy.
“HOIL's accessible and affordable business finance helps promote business across the area. It's an important part of the Council's aim to keep business vibrant and growing in the Highlands.”
David Massey, Managing Director of the Apprentice Store said: “The Apprentice Store approached HOIL to secure some funding and found the application process quick and easy to complete. This funding will help our social purpose of creating sustainable employment to young people who have challenges of entering the workforce. Our clients from across the UK in the public, private and sectors help support continuous employment by outsourcing their IT services to The Apprentice Store. Our team return on our client’s commitment by offering quality IT support and development services as they care about the opportunity offered to them by The Apprentice Store and its clients.”