Paul Tanner is HFT Forklifts' newest apprentice.

Hereford-based HFT Forklifts marked last week's National Apprenticeship Week by urging companies to invest more in young people.

The family-run business has seen the benefits of an apprenticeship program it began more than 25 years ago and is continuing with its latest recruit, 18-year-old engineer Paul Tanner.

One in four HFT engineering and office staff is a former or current trainee, including Paul Bartleman, who was the company's first engineering apprentice in 1987, and Zoe Ferriday, who is now human resources director.

Ferriday says over the last 25 years, the company developed a program that "effectively combines on and off-site training" to give employees the practical skills and qualifications the business needs to succeed.

"We're committed to supporting 'on-the-job' learning and the results speak for themselves," she says.

As well as employing Amy Bowes, one of the UK's first female engineering apprentices, HFT has seen Harriet Watts win the Herefordshire Group Training Association's commerce apprentice of the year. Rob Birch was the Fork Lift Truck Association's national apprentice of the year in 2000, and has since become an ambassador for the company's training program.

"When it comes to our workforce, we've always recognised the importance of maintaining a balanced age profile. Experienced employees play a particularly vital role but, as they approach retirement age, we know we need to have others ready to step into their shoes," Ferriday says.

"The apprenticeship scheme helps those starting out in the forklift industry and ensures we have staff with the skill sets required for HFT's sustainability and continued success."

HFT Forklifts employs 45 people, 14 of whom joined through an apprenticeship scheme. Six of the 14 are still apprentices.