BOSSES at a Bolton building contractor committed to helping young people get a foot on the employment ladder have taken on two apprentices.

HeightVale, in Spa Road, is running a scheme which offers two week of work experience to young people recommended by the Rathbone and Connexions youth agencies.

The new additions to the team, Stephanie McLean, aged 16, and Ashley Quayle, aged 18, performed so well in their work experience that the company had no hesitation in offering them apprenticeships.

Dolores Haworth, HeightVale’s human resources director, said: “They are both very good and very keen and it was our employees who have been mentoring them who pushed us to take them on because they were so good.”

Jim White, HeightVale’s business development manager, said: “With this apprentice scheme, we are at the beginning and it will be a long road, but as a company we are committed to seeing this through to the long term.”

Ashley Quayle, from Tonge Moor, who training as an electrician, said: “I had some work with my dad and then I went to college with Rathbones and from there, through Connexions, I got the chance to become an apprentice electrician.

“I really enjoy it and there’s a good variety of work as we do different jobs in lots of different places.

“I’m looking forward to going to day release.”

Stephanie McLean, who lives in Sharples, now works as an apprentice painter and decorator. She said: “I am really chuffed to get this job. I always wanted to do something creative and this is the job for me.

“It’s better than sitting about at home which is what I was doing before. I get up now at 5am to be ready to start work at 7am but I don’t mind — I really like the job.”