A WIRRAL teenager is gearing up for success in the engineering industry, thanks to an apprenticeship at a Merseyside training college.

Jamie Byrne, 17, from Beechwood, is working at Runcorn-based Bilfinger Industrial Services while completing an Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB) qualification at Maritime and Engineering College North West, based in Birkenhead.

The Daily Post Skills for the Future campaign aims to create 500 apprenticeships in Merseyside.

Apprenticeships are available in 190 different job areas across private, public and not-for-profit sectors. Mr Byrne, who started his Apprenticeship in September, liked the mix of training and work. He said: “I was attracted to the idea of earning while I trained and always wanted to work on-site, so an Apprenticeship was the ideal option.

“A typical day for me as an apprentice involves a mixture of theory and practical work – we’re well supervised but also allowed to work independently.”

Di Shanks, human resource manager at the Maritime and Engineering College North West, said: “Jamie showed great initiative and persistence when applying for his position on the ECITB programme. I was immediately impressed.

“The Daily Post’s Skills for the Future campaign is a great tool to encourage companies to take on an apprentice – Jamie is focused and ambitious, and will be a great asset to his new employer.”

IF YOU would like more information about how an apprenticeship might benefit your business, go to liverpooldailypost.co.uk/apprentice

A National Apprenticeship Service representative will contact you to discuss your needs.

Further information is available at www. apprenticeships.org.uk or call 0800 150 600.