Mansfield District Council has welcomed new apprentices to its satellite office in Vale Road, Mansfield Woodhouse.

Marcus Horsley and Scotty Clark are just two of five new apprentices who joined the apprenticeship programme in September. Both employees work at the housing depot and cover different roles.

Marcus, 19, of Warsop, has been enrolled in the Carpentry and Joinery Level 2/3 apprenticeship that will take just over four years to complete. He started his journey with the council through the Kickstart programme earlier this year, which aims to create new jobs for 16 to 24-year-olds on Universal Credit who were at risk of long-term unemployment.

He was ready for a complete change following previous studies of engineering, and once the Kickstart programme ended, he applied for the opportunity at Vale Road and hasn’t looked back since.

He said: “Joinery, I’ve found, is more hands-on and suited to what I wanted to do, I am really enjoying it. I have worked a little with an electrician in the past, but I find I do enjoy joinery a lot more.

“This course has helped me focus on what I want to do with my career. I had no experience in this trade before this, so when I started, I felt myself being a bit slow trying to understand the ropes, but it’s going well so far. It helps to be supported by my mentor.

“Every day, we are doing something different too. I would encourage anyone to get enrolled in an apprenticeship as it’s so hands-on. Do it because it allows you to take pride in what work you do, and it helps other people. The person who is going to move into that house one day, you can take satisfaction in knowing you are doing that work for them.

“I’m hoping at the end to get a full-time job to continue this type of work. When I first started I didn’t talk that much, but I do now and have broken out of my shell working with a lot of different people.”

Scotty, 57, is enrolled in the Facilities Management Level 4 course and is balancing studying and working for the next 18 months. He joined the council in April this year as a Housing Repairs Assessor / Inspector.

He said: “I have worked in construction and housing, and it’s the first time I’ve merged them.

“There are a lot of theoretical assessments around various stages of facilities management and how it relates to the construction industry. It’s customised to the needs of my course rather than generic.

“It can be quite invasive and time-consuming but I’m progressing with it, and it’s going ok. My options are open when this finishes, I’m hoping for maybe some new opportunities too.

“I have a commitment to lifelong learning, I would recommend anyone improves themselves.”

As part of the authority’s ambitions to help residents achieve their true potential, Mansfield District Council is continuing to utilise and invest in the future workforce.

Mayor Andy Abrahams welcomed the latest recruits and commented on how proactive the council was at bringing in new talent from Mansfield.

He said: “Apprenticeships are a brilliant way to enter the world of work and gain invaluable skills and experience, they also provide a stepping stone into finding out what you want to do as a chosen career path.

“I am thrilled to welcome another cohort of apprentices to Mansfield District Council, some who are completely new to us and others who are looking to progress and achieve their full potential. Good luck to you all with your studies.”