Two Derbyshire companies have announced a new strategic partnership that will see up to 10 apprentices begin new work placements over the next 12 months.

The new partnership between ecommerce website design and on-line marketing specialists Purpose Media and training provider Aspire Achieve Advance (3As) originated from the two directors meeting at a Marketing Derby Bondholders event, where they immediately identified the synergies of working together.

3As recruitment executive, James Stafford, said: “Purpose Media needed quality trainees with the skills and aptitudes that would enable them to progress into account managers, and 3As have many eager and willing apprentices wishing to learn more about web design and on-line marketing. We have already made one placement, Matt Wodja, and more are to follow.”

Purpose Media believes employing apprentices helps them to deliver a more bespoke service. This is because young apprentices come to the role with no pre-conceived ideas about how things should be done. Under the supervision of senior developers, Purpose Media teaches its apprentices how to build solutions that are bespoke to each individual clients’ requirements. It’s an approach that, after training, results in a fully-competent website developer, who has both practical and academic qualifications.

Purpose Media managing director Matt Wheatcroft added: “We have very ambitious plans which will see us move to even bigger offices in the summer. Once the grant applications have been approved to finance the move, it will be all systems go and will begin taking on the new apprentices.”

3As was established in 2008 by Di McEvoy-Robinson and Peter Marples to fulfil the requirement for high-quality training in the logistics sector.

Purpose Media is an award winning web developer and on-line marketing specialist. The company focuses on the design and build of content managed websites and e-commerce solutions that integrate back office accounting and stock control systems. The company employs 15 staff and its order book will see turnover increase from £500,000 to £750,000 by March 2015.