REDCAR and Cleveland Council has smashed a Government target by taking on its 100th apprentice – and now more vacancies are available in a range of trades across the authority.

Jake West is learning to be an electrician with the authority and his appointment means the Council has exceeded the Government target introduced last year that the authority should have 74 apprentices.

The 17-year-old, from Stockton, said: “I’m very much enjoying the apprenticeship and I’m learning a lot. I’m only in my second week but the lads that I work with are fantastic. I’d like to thank the Council for giving me this experience and opportunity.”

His mentor, Andy Nicholson, said: “There are several of us mentoring Jake at the moment. He’s doing very well and asks a lot of questions, which is a good thing. He’s very enthusiastic and I think he’ll do very well and go far.”

Find out more about the new apprentice roles on offer and apply from Monday at www.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk/apprenticeships or call the Apprenticeship Team on 01642-444464.