A BUSINESSMAN who modelled himself on The Apprentice boss Alan Sugar has finally found two new recruits.

Mark Pollitt, managing director of Digicomm in Lostock, adopted a hardfaced Lord Sugar “pose”

for fun after facing difficulties finding decent trainees.

He said some interviewees had good computer skills but their expertise was too niche — while others were simply too scruffy or were poor communicators.

Now, he has found two “outstanding” apprentices for his company—Andrew Butler, aged 21, and Tom Hyde, aged 18.

Mr Pollitt said: “I appreciated the importance of being given the chance to succeed because I was accepted on to a young entrepreneurs’ programme in 2002 where my main mentor was Andrew Dickson, then of St Andrew’s Travel, who now runs The WOWFactor consultancy and is chairman of 96.5 Bolton FM.

“Andrew instilled into me the need to exceed customer expectations, ensure business practices are sound and that staff training and development are central to everything.”

Now, 11 years later, Mr Pollitt has his own business and an increasing number of staff.

Tom, who attended Little Lever High School, is working in IT and studying for the Microsoft Certified IT Professional qualification.

He said: “I love technology and wanted to pursue this as a career. I completed my NVQs at college and decided that I really needed some practical experience.”

Andrew, who went to Thornleigh Salesian College, is working in sales and marketing, and completing an NVQ in business administration.

He and will go forward to complete the CIM diploma in marketing qualification.

Andrew said he was delighted to join Digicomm.

He said: “I’d completed my A levels and was working in retail. I really enjoyed the marketing element of the role but wanted to take it to the next level. Digicomm will allow me to do this.”

Former Smithills School pupil Mr Pollitt, aged 39, who previously worked as a joiner, said: “We need to develop young people and invest in them. I am impressed by Andrew and Tom’s enthusiasm and the fresh way of looking at business. I think they will both do really well for themselves and for the company.”

Digicomm recently sponsored a business seminar at Bolton Arena, which coincided with public consultation over the new Middlebrook Masterplan.

The firm has twice made it to the final of the National Comms awards and staff nominated it as The Best Place to Work’ in Crain’s business magazine competitions, where Mr Pollitt picked up awards on two consecutive years.

Earlier this year, Digicomm customers voted it the “Most Loved Telecoms Company” in the 14 Days of Love business awards held by Thebestofbolton, one of the sponsors of this year’s Bolton and Bury Business Awards.