A YOUNG painter and decorator has landed her dream job after brushing up on her skills at Redcar and Cleveland College.

Sarah Hardwick achieved a City and Guilds Foundation Construction Award and is now a full-time painter and decorator at MITIE Property Services, in Middlesbrough.

Since September, the college has been running E2E, a national learning programme funded by the Learning and Skills Council Tees Valley to help 16 to 18-year-olds into work.

Sarah said: "the skills that I've learnt over the past few months will hold me in good stead."

Painting and decorating is still traditionally a male-dominated industry, but the skills that I've learnt over the past few months will hold me in good stead."

Kenny Dawson, senior contracts manager at MITIE Property Services, said: "Sarah is an enthusiastic member of our team and already we are reaping the benefits of her work."