A HI-TECH innovation centre has appointed its first apprentice.

Jemma Parsloe has become a support assistant at Witney Business and Innovation Centre after applying for the role through Abingdon and Witney College.

Ms Parsloe, 20, said: “It was really competitive to land this role and I’m so happy to be appointed as the apprentice.

“I’ve been determined to be involved with this type of work and have been doing voluntary work as an admin assistant and receptionist to provide me with relevant work experience.”

Having left school at 17, Ms Parsloe worked in a variety of positions before hearing about the apprentice vacancy through Abingdon & Witney College.

Now she will be working as a personal assistant and receptionist for businesses at the centre while studying for an NVQ Level 2 in customer services.

Teresa Kelly, principal of Abingdon & Witney College, said: “One of the many benefits of apprenticeships is studying – and earning – alongside learning in the workplace. We are seeing record enrolment numbers for new and existing apprenticeship programmes.”