A TEENAGER has scooped a “juicy” first job since leaving school after beating off stiff competition to land a coveted apprenticeship.

Joshua Chadwick, aged 18 and of Bridgemere Close, snapped up a place on a social media apprenticeship programme run by The Juice Academy in Manchester.

The teenager, who studied at Elton High School before taking A Levels at Bury College, is one of 14 apprentices to have been accepted into the academy’s second cohort this month.

He will now undertake a year-long course which includes a mixture of theoretical and workplace learning covering all elements of social media management.

For his practical placement Josh is working for Manchester internet marketing company atLarge Inc to gain vital on-the-job experience.

Joshua said: “Social media is a huge part of my everyday life, so it made perfect sense to use these skills as a platform for my career.

“I made the conscious decision not to go to university as I was raring to get going with my career now, so this apprenticeship was the perfect place to start.

“Social media is no longer just a hobby, it’s a powerful tool that businesses can use to engage with customers and create a tone of voice.

“I am really enjoying putting my skills into practise with atLarge, Inc.”

Juice Academy was launched to increase youth employment and fill an industry-wide skills gap by training young professionals and opened its doors to its first cohort in July.

It is already welcoming applications from businesses and apprentices for the programme’s January intake.

For more information or to apply to be an employer or apprentice, call Lucy Adams at The Juice Academy on 0161 817 6600 or email lucy.adams@juiceacademy.co.uk or apprenticeships@juiceacademy.co.uk