FOUR young trainees have successfully completed apprenticeships with their council employers.

The four were the latest to build themselves a potentially bright future through the modern apprenticeship scheme offered by Easington District Council.

Council members are keen to embrace the scheme, offering traditional trade skills training up to National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) standard.

Although the council is not always able to take on new apprentices each year, 43 have been recruited since 1993.

The latest batch of qualified tradesmen, all in their late teens and early 20s, will be offered further employment with the council, with the possibility of a permanent place on the workforce in the future.

Steven Hewitson, from Thornley, and David Slack, of Wingate, are both looking forward to promising careers as joiners.

Dean Gray, from Peterlee, a plumber, has passed his NVQ2 in plumbing, while Darren Inchliffe, also from Peterlee, is a motor vehicle fitter, who has also gained an NVQ.

They were presented with their certificates this week by council chairman, Councillor Jeff Gray, in a ceremony in the council chamber