A CONSTRUCTION and development firm has taken on three apprentices to help deliver North-East housing projects.

Southdale, which has an office in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, has welcomed three bricklayers.

Laura Elder, Steven Jones and Osanuyi Igbinusun, who are all 17-years-old, will study towards a level two NVQ in brickwork with Newcastle-based NCT Skills while spending time with Southdale.

Bosses say the trio will work on developments in Jarrow and South Shields, South Tyneside, where it is building 76 homes on three sites.

The company recruited 25 apprentices in the North last year and has plans to double the figure in 2015.

Craig Knowles, Southdale’s North-East operations director, said: “We’re committed to the development of talented young people in the construction industry, and the company is delighted to be expanding the team in the North-East.

“It’s been a fantastic start to 2015 and we’re aiming to recruit further talented apprentices throughout the year.”

Ian Wood, NCT Skills’ managing director, added: “We’re delighted to be supporting Southdale in training their apprentices.

“We work with a large number of young apprentices every year and it’s vital to have support of businesses to give them the opportunity to learn from professionals on the job, especially in the construction industry with the skills gap.

“Our partnership will continue to address that by attracting more young people into the construction industry.”