THREE apprentices who were the first in the country to achieve their qualification have been recruited by an acrylic manufacturer.

Craig Buckle, James Curtis-Dawson and Derek Hornsey are the first in the UK to successfully complete the new Science Manufacturing Technician (SMT) Apprenticeship at Level 3, and have been rewarded for their efforts by securing their first job in the industry.

The trio have now been taken on by Lucite as full time Production Technicians, after completing a year’s training at the company’s Cassel site at Billingham.

Mr Buckle said: “The new apprenticeship has really helped us to be 'job ready' for the roles we now have. “All our colleagues at Lucite helped us immensely and gave us great support throughout our training as we progressed towards attaining the apprenticeship.”

Jess Bell, learning and development manager at Lucite, said: “We were delighted to be part of the development of this Apprenticeship and it has proved hugely successful.

“Our apprentices have set the bar very high and we look forward to our next apprentices completing the final part of their Apprenticeship by next summer.”