INDEPENDENT tea and coffee experts Ringtons have enlisted a national education training provider to deliver its new customer service apprenticeship programme.

County Durham-based Learning Curve Group have been selected to provide the scheme aimed at recruiting a number of apprentices to be based in Norfolk, Manchester, Birstall, West Yorkshire and St Helens, Merseyside.

Newcastle-based Ringtons, whose founder, Samuel Smith, began selling tea from a horse and cart in 1907, is keen to strengthen its loyal workforce by investing in the Level 2 programme and find its future leaders and innovators.

Learning Curve Group has begun the recruitment process – a complimentary service which adds further value to the organisation’s 13-month accredited apprenticeship package.

Those selected will be paid £12,240, considerably more than national minimum wage rates, with a guaranteed job waiting for the successful candidates.