ONE of the world’s biggest manufacturing and distribution companies is on the hunt for Essex-based apprentices, as it expands its operations in the county.

Procter & Gamble has its main UK manufacturing plant and distribution centre in West Thurrock, and is planning to build and operate a new biomass power-plant on the Essex side of the Thames Estuary.

Worldwide, the corporation employs 127,000 people. Sales in 2014 totalled £53billion.

Jenny Boylan, human resources leader at P&G, said the firm was always on the look-out for apprentices who lived within striking distance of the plant.

She added: “We recruit apprentices to build the mechanical and electrical skills we need.

We seek young people who are willing to learn, self-motivated and focused on learning.”

Martin Collins, department leader at P&G, added: “We put our apprentices on the job from day one.”

One current apprentice is a former head girl who shunned the traditional path to a top university for the chance of an engineering apprenticeship with Procter & Gamble.

Emily Hamlin, 17, from Horndon, said the decision was the best she had ever made.

Former head girl at St Clere’s School, Stanford-le-Hope, Emily pursued the normal A-level route at a grammar school sixth-form after her GCSEs. She worked hard and passed her first year, but found it very stressful.

She said: “There was too much pressure to get into a top university. It was difficult to think about that while studying really hard at the same time.”

So, Emily decided to change her direction and secured an apprenticeship at P&G.

She added: “My parents were worried when I told them I was switching to an apprenticeship, but I explained it would open up plenty more opportunities for me.

“I’m now a lot happier. I’ve been interested in engineering from a young age and now I’m doing what I want to do – and getting paid for it.”

Emily said she also appreciated the chance to learn in a business environment, rather than an academic one .

She explained: “Apprenticeships are a great option. P&G has given me lots of opportunities already.”