Independent funeral directors A.W. Lymn The Family Funeral Service is celebrating 20 years since its trainee programme was first set up.

Designed to offer the opportunity to gain five qualifications to start a career in the funeral industry, the four-year residential course offers a chance to work in each department of the business.

Commercial director Pete Clarson, who oversees the trainees, said: “We are so proud to be celebrating 20 years of our trainee programme — and what a ride it’s been.

“We originally put the programme together to offer more choices to those looking for alternative career choices other than attending university.

“It has certainly been a learning curve and the programme has been tweaked along the journey to better suit the needs of our trainees, but we are very proud of how far we’ve come and the number of individuals we’ve helped kick-start a career in our profession.”

One of the programme’s success stories is Jonathan Baker, one of the first trainees who has risen through the ranks to the role of senior funeral director for the Mansfield area.

“I am extremely thankful for the experience the trainee programme provided me and for further igniting my passion for the funeral industry,” he said.

“Being given the chance to experience every aspect of the business, you can then go on to work in whatever department suits you best -— there are so many opportunities.”

The programme offers placements in all eight areas of the A.W. Lymn business, which include funeral arranging and directing, stone masonry, floristry, coffin preparation, mortuary, fleet maintenance, driver/bearer and administration.

At the end of the programme trainees put everything they have learned into action at one of the funeral homes in the business.

Nigel Lymn Rose, company chairman, added: “Over the years we have witnessed first-hand the interest and passion for the funeral industry and wanted to offer an official training scheme for those keen to pursue a career in our profession.

“It’s been a real honour to watch the trainees progress through the programme over the years and know that we are playing our part in developing young talent.

“We’re delighted to have been running the programme for over 20 years now and look forward to welcoming another trainee next year.”

Applications for the A.W. Lymn September 2022 course are now open. To apply visit www.lymn.co.uk