You're hired - Bristol City Council is still running its own apprentice scheme

THEY are nothing like the apprentices on the hit television series.

And they are unlikely to land a £100,000-a-year job with Sir Alan Sugar.

But they are looking to the future with high hopes of a job despite the recession in the construction industry.

These real-life apprentices are receiving on-the-job training from Bristol City Council in a variety of fields from plumbing and plastering to decorating and carpentry.

They are among 250 apprentices a year who join up for the council’s training scheme, which is based at a depot in Wellington Street, St Jude’s.

The council is continuing to invest in the scheme by taking on apprentices despite the economic downturn.

Team manager Barney Willis said: “When there is a slump in the building industry, training is usually the first area where firms make cutbacks.

“The problem is that when the economy picks up again, there is a shortage of skilled workers.

“The council is continuing to invest in its apprentice scheme so they will be trained and experienced when work picks up.”

In the meantime, these apprentices help to look after the council’s housing stock of about 30,000 homes across the city.

They repair homes where tenants have been evicted or moved out.

They have to fix broken doors, woodwork, smashed or unrepairable bathrooms, broken windows and frames, and a host of other repair and maintenance jobs.

Most of the apprentices spend two or three days working for the council and the rest of the time is in the classroom at the

City of Bristol College to gain their

qualifications.

Vox pop:

Dalip Singh, 20, from Fishponds who is training to be a gas engineer

“I’m meeting new people and learning new skills. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that I will get a job at the end of the course.

Nick Daley, 22, Charlton Avenue, Filton, who is training to be a plumber

I did my A levels at Marlwood School and now I’m on a four-year course to become a coldwater plumber. I’m doing an extra year as a gas apprentice. I would like to stay on with the council if they have got a job for me.

Simon Moody, 22, Garnet Place, Downend, is training to become a plasterer

“I did labouring on building sites before I came here. If you’ve got the qualifications, you’ve got something to fall back on. I’ve seen a lot of mates lose their jobs and I’m very grateful to be on this course.

Kirsty Yabsley, 21, of Shellmor Avenue, Stoke Lodge, is training to be a plumber

“I love it. I used to work in a call centre which was very boring. I used to help my dad, who was always fixing things. I wanted to do a trade. which will help me wherever I go