A TEENAGER has taken up a hairdressing apprenticeship thanks to a council’s funding.

Becky Pearson, 18, from Ferryhill, has started her hairdressing apprenticeship after The 4 Together Area Action Partnership (AAP) and Durham County Council's employability team created 14 apprenticeships for people who live in Ferryhill, Chilton, Cornforth and Bishop Middleham.

One business that has already seized the opportunity to take someone on is Steven Scarr Hairdressing, in Church Street, Coxhoe.

Ms Pearson said: “Everything is going really well with my apprenticeship and I love every minute at the salon.

“I would say to all young people that apprenticeships are an ideal way to learn and earn at the same time.”

Chris Buston, chair of 4 Together Partnership, said: “It’s great to see a local girl benefiting from the money the partnership had set aside.

“It’s extremely rewarding for the AAP to see the real difference their input can make to the community.”

The County Durham Apprenticeship Programme, funded by the council and the Coalfields Regeneration Trust, is aimed at 16 to 24- year-olds in County Durham.

Businesses with fewer than 50 staff benefit from the scheme and 125 apprenticeships have currently started across the county.

For more information on the scheme contact Alison Kirk 03000-262010 or email alison.kirk@durham.gov.uk