THE owners of a popular restaurant in Cirencester are taking on their first apprentice after being inspired by the 2012 Gloucestershire Apprenticeship Challenge campaign.

Eric Lepine and Kiean Glynn, owners of French restaurant Le Beaujolais, have signed up to hire an apprentice chef to help keep diners happy at the Castle Street brasserie which has been open for 18 months.

Kiean, who has worked in the industry for 36 years, said: "We decided to take on an apprentice as opposed to taking on a chef because we can teach them from the word go.

"We wanted to have someone that we could train ourselves, so we know they will end up being skilled in all areas of the business.

"We also believe in the apprenticeship scheme because it gives people opportunities when they come out of school and lets them work while they are training.

"Years ago, when we both trained as apprentices, we learned the job from start to finish."

Gloucestershire Apprenticeship Challenge is run by economic development company GFirst in partnership with colleges in the county.

The campaign, which started last month, aims to encourage new employers to take on apprentices and encourage employers that have taken on apprentices in the past to take on new ones in different areas of their business.

Head chef Eric said: "It is a hard craft, but if you want to learn there are a lot of benefits from the job. Taking on an apprentice is not about getting cheap labour, it is about giving someone an opportunity."

Kiean and Eric are now working with Cirencester College to find the right candidate to take on the role as Apprentice Chef.

Laura Holroyd, account manager at Cirencester College Business School, said: "This is a very exciting opportunity for any young person wanting to work in this sector and start their career working under head chef Eric.

"Now we're just looking for the right apprentice."

To encourage other businesses in Cirencester to take on an apprentice, Le Beaujolais staged the launch of the Cirencester 100 Apprenticeships Scheme last Thursday as part of the Gloucestershire Apprenticeship Challenge.

Sarah Danson, development manager at GFirst, said: "The aim of our campaign is to encourage new employers to take on their first apprentice and Eric and Kiean are great examples of this.

"We hope their enthusiasm for the campaign will inspire others to get in touch and see how an apprentice could benefit their business,"

To sign up or for more information about the Gloucestershire Apprenticeship Challenge call Sarah Danson at GFirst on 01452 328318 or email sarah.danson@glosfirst.co.uk