TWO young people are starting their careers in the construction industry as apprentice joiners with builder Galliford Try in Northumberland.

The firm, which employs around 150 staff at its office in Ponteland, has signed up Claire Shiells and Jake Marshall as apprentices while they continue their studies for an NVQ at Newcastle College.

Shiells, from Fawdon, said: “I have a cousin who works in the construction industry and always wanted to work in the sector – I did a BTEC at Gosforth High School and loved the creative work and actually making something. I wrote off to many construction companies and I’m delighted to have this chance with Galliford Try.”

A career in construction was always likely for Jake Marshall who follows his father, Ian, a site manager with Galliford Try.

Jake Marshall said: “I’d always liked helping my dad with DIY projects and just liked the building trade and his friends who worked with him. I did GCSEs at Burnside College, including one in resistant materials, and I’m really looking forward to starting work now and learning more techniques.

Contracts manager, Simon Grylls, said, “It’s a pleasure to welcome Claire and Jake to the company who will join our other apprentices currently working on the sites.

“We regard the investment we make in our apprentices as vital to the future of the company and look forward to seeing Claire and Jake progress their career with us in years to come.”

Operations director Foster Innes said: “Claire and Jake impressed us all at their interviews and are the latest in a long line of valued members of the company who have joined us as young apprentices. Whilst some are happy to remain in their trade, we also offer a career path right up to senior management so that their future is literally in their own hands.”