AFTER being made redundant from his telesales job, Jack Bryan has embarked on an exciting career in the world of law.

He is training to be a paralegal in a leading Bolton law firm and map out a career in the field which many young ambitious people aspire to.

Yet competition means the getting your foot through the door is not easy — especially at a well established firm.

But that is exactly what Jack, a former Sharples School pupil has done by becoming an "apprentice".

The election campaign has seen the Conservatives pledging to create an additional 50,000 apprenticeships, while Labour is guaranteeing one to for every school leaver who gets the necessary grades

Jack, aged 20, followed the traditional route to sixth form college after his GCSEs to do A-levels.

But he said: "I tried college, but it isn't for everyone, and now I am working, getting paid and gaining qualifications."

After being made redundant at the start of the year, Jack was offered a number of apprenticeship positions through the Mojo Trust – a training and skills provider based in Brownlow Way — which he could apply for, and it was the position junior officer worker with KBL that caught his eye.

After making such a good impression on his employees, he was offered training to become a paralegal.

He said: "My career has started, since working here, I know I want a career in law, and with KBL.

"I am getting the training, the qualifications, this is a lifetime opportunity.

"You are pushed to do well."

Hannah Doherty, may only be a teenager, but already she is on her way to establishing a career in the world of marketing.

The 19-year-old former Mount St Joseph School pupil is training to be a marketing assistant at the solicitors.

She helps to manage big projects, everything from networking meetings to organising seminars, including one on changes in employment law to be held later this month.

Again, the teenager decided to follow the traditional route, but found it was not for her.

Like Jack she found out about apprenticeships after approaching the local careers advice service.

She said: “I am learning while earning, and I really enjoy it, the experience I am getting is invaluable, it really is brilliant here, everyone is friendly and helpful.”

KBL said apprenticeships are away of investing in people in the community — of which it says it is a strong part of.

Officer manager Jackie Thorpe said: “The apprenticeship scheme benefits everybody.

“We are training them and investing in them, and the apprentices are gaining experience, and learning while they earn.

“The standard of applicants we receive for our apprenticeship vacancies is very high, and the apprenticeship programme allows people to show what they are capable of in the work place —their potential.”

She added: “The apprenticeship scheme is proven to work with a career path for the apprentices.”

Hayley Denton,Senior Employer Consultant at Mojo Trust said: "Hannah and Jack are great examples of how embarking on an apprenticeship can offer young people a way into companies and the chance to gain work based learning and climb the corporate ladder.

"In such a challenging job market for young people, its really rewarding to be able to help so many into employment and to give them the skills they need to kick start their career."

Any firms who might benefit from taking on an apprentice or young people with a "strong work ethic" wanting to enter the world of work should ring Miss Denton on 01204 374402.