01 March 2002

Penwith District Council employees around 350 people - the number can rise by around 100 in the summer months. Geographically, the Council covers West Cornwall, and includes population centres such as Penzance, St Ives and Hayle.

The Council is responsible for looking after the district's needs across a range of services, from cleansing, housing, and car parking, to collecting council tax and coast maintenance. There is a resident population of 60,000 which increases significantly during summer.

"Tourism and economic development activities are also included as non-mandatory services," said tourism and marketing officer Sue Clarke. "About a year ago, we were under-manned in the department and required administrative support."

"It was a difficult role to recruit because we needed someone who was bright with initiative and flexibility, and who would take responsibility, yet at the same time would be prepared to undertake repetitive non-challenging jobs such as filing and photocopying."

"Shelley fulfils this combination excellently. She has been positive from the start, demonstrating a terrific interest in the job and in learning new skills. She is responsible for a range of important tasks, such as expanding and keeping the tourist accommodation data base up-to-date."

"The Modern Apprenticeship programme is very good because it gives employers the opportunity to train up a young person to suit the work needs. Another valuable element is being able to take on a young person for training without having to make a commitment at the outset to take them on as a full-time employee until both sides see if it is going to work out."