Meet the apprentices working at Amazon's sites in Durham and Darlington

Carly Loscombe, from Sunderland, and Jane Murphy, from Darlington, were among the first of this year's intake of 1,000 apprentices nationally.

But they have explained their story and have gave an insight into what they are doing in the company as the company has provided an uptake on their progress.

It comes as Amazon now employs more than 2,000 full and part-time staff in the North East, with a further 1,000 expected once its Gateshead site opens later this year.

Read more: Amazon confirms warehouse at Follingsby Max in Gateshead - with 1,000 jobs expected

Ms Loscombe, 38, who worked at the Land Registry and healthcare, joined Amazon last year taking a break to become a second-time mum.  

She had been working for Amazon's Covid testing team, before taking up a Health, Safety and Environment Technician Apprenticeship. 

She said: “I’ve had a few different jobs over the years but never really felt like I had found my career until now.

"I returned to work last year, having taken time off to look after my daughter, and I wanted to ensure I was entering a job that was prioritising staff safety during the pandemic.

“I began working in Amazon’s fulfilment centre in Durham, when I saw the chance to apply for the apprenticeship programme, I jumped at the opportunity to be able to get hands on experience while gaining a qualification."

Ms Loscombe, who said she hopes to progress within the company as a health and safety coordinator, said she enjoyed contributing to the working environment.

Meanwhile Jane Murphy, 45, of Darlington joined Amazon after working in finance for a local authority in the region.

Ms Murphy, who is also on the same apprenticeship, said: “I had been looking for a job for quite some time that would allow me to move in a different direction from my previous roles, so when I spotted the apprenticeship, I knew it would be a great opportunity to broaden my horizons and learn on the job."

Ms Murphy, who said she encouraged anyone no matter what their age to consider an apprenticeship, said she also looked forward to progressing.

Amazon said that once the pair complete the programme, they will receive a nationally recognised qualification as a Safety, Health & Environmental technician.

They will also be eligible to join the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment at affiliate level.

Amazon Regional Director, Graham Allison, said: “At Amazon safety is our number one priority. To achieve this, we rely on our strong, experienced and growing safety team.

"We are excited to welcome the next generation of health and safety apprentices at our fulfilment centres for what will be the beginning of an exciting career journey.”

Amazon said it had invented hundreds of ways to enhance employee wellbeing and safety.

From safety harnesses to water stations, no-go-zones to protective safety vests to ensure its employees stay safe while delivering for its customers.

Amazon said it has 25 different apprenticeship programmes ranging from IT, safety technician and HR through to software engineering and creative digital design.

It said they remain open to anyone, from school leavers to those with life skills, who are 18 plus and have their GCSEs or A-levels.

Amazon was earlier this year the subject of a number of national campaigns held by Unite the Union over alleged poor working conditions.

The union, which launched a whistleblowers hotline for workers, had claimed Amazon was preventing its workers across the UK from joining a union. 

This prompted Amazon to strongly refute any suggestions it is treating workers poorly as it said all workers were free to join unions, claiming the union "already knows this."

It also said it offers its workers "excellent pay and benefits" in a "safe, modern" work environment.

Those interested in finding out more about the Amazon apprenticeship programme in the North East can visit www.amazonapprenticeships.co.uk