Two apprentice mechanics have started work with Argyll and Bute Council as part of its fleet service review.

Steven Walsh (18) will work in the James Street Depot, Helensburgh and David Butler (20) in Hamilton Street Dunoon. Both will start a four year apprenticeship on March 12 2012.

During the first three years the apprentices will attend Glasgow Training Group, based in South Street, Glasgow. The course, run by Arnold Clark, consists of 10 week block release for the first three years and then working in the depot for the remainder of the year.

In the final fourth year the men will continue in the workshop, returning to the training centre for final assessments after which they will be fully qualified HGV mechanics. Once qualified they will help with the on-going work of maintaining the council’s fleet of cars, vans, HGVs and plant vehicles.

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When the jobs were advertised the council received around 200 applications, and Steven and David were chosen from the 23 candidates who were interviewed.

Both are delighted with their new jobs. Steven said: "I’m really excited about the variety of vehicles that come in to the yard, and I welcome the opportunity to be able to work on them. Everybody has made me feel really welcome and I am really enjoying my job."

David said: "This job is brilliant and completely different from my last job which was in a fish farm."

Councillor Ellen Morton, Argyll and Bute’s spokesperson for education and lifelong learning said: "It is a great opportunity for these boys. Being able to take up an apprenticeship which will set them on the road to skilled and settled employment in the future is not a chance which many young people get these days, and I am delighted that Steven and David are so positive about their new roles."

(GK/DW)