Two local apprentices have been given a second chance to secure a future career in the construction industry.

Sean Karte and Christopher Kerr, from Stirling, have both been taken on by GRAHAM Construction which won the contract to build and fit out the new £11m student accommodation project at Stirling University.

Christopher was made redundant by a local employer at the end of his second apprentice year in joinery as a result of the downfall in the economic climate. He put his redundancy money towards his third year at college where he worked towards his advanced craft certificate but he still needed to find a company to employ him in order to complete his final year of his apprenticeship.

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Through Stirling Council Youth Services, GRAHAM was able to offer Christopher the opportunity to complete his training as an apprentice joiner.

Fellow joinery apprentice Sean Karte was also struggling to find an employer to allow him to complete his apprenticeship after being laid off by two companies due to a lack of work.

GRAHAM offered Sean an apprenticeship through the Young Working Lives programme and now he has the chance to complete his apprenticeship this year and become fully qualified.

Both apprentices started on site at Stirling University as GRAHAM commenced work to create the new state of the art student facilities.

Both apprentices started on site of the new state-of-the-art student facilities which will see 40% of Stirling University's student accommodation redeveloped over a period of three years.

Michael Graham, Executive Chairman at GRAHAM Construction said: "It is important for us to recognise the young talent coming into the construction industry and we try to offer people like Christopher and Sean opportunities on our projects across the UK wherever possible.

"They have already proven to be great additions to GRAHAM and have both been keen to learn from our staff and develop their skills.

"In such a tough economic climate it’s great to be able to offer people a second chance to complete their apprenticeships."

(JP/CD)