A new pre-apprenticeship programme has been launched at New College Nottingham (ncn) to help 16 to 19-year-olds find employment in the construction industry.

The course aims to equip young people with the skills needed to become an apprentice. Using its contacts with local employers, ncn will work with students to help them find a suitable apprenticeship.

Students gain experience in a real work environment at the College’s purpose-built workshops where they can try a range of crafts including brickwork, plastering, plumbing, joinery and tiling.  They also learn interview techniques, IT skills and are given support writing their CV.

Pre-apprentice Jerome McKenzie, 17, said: “This is a great chance for me and I’m eager to get started. I’m most interested in plastering and joinery but this course gives me the opportunity to try other trades, which will widen my skills and hopefully improve my chances of gaining employment.”