A MOTOR dealer is helping young people make a speedy start to successful careers after taking on four apprentices.

Vauxhall and Chevrolet dealer Sherwoods is supporting The Northern Echo’s Foundation for Jobs campaign by taking on four apprentices giving them the skills they need to secure a job.

The campaign, in conjunction with Darlington Partnership, is designed to create formal links between schools and employers, provide internships, apprenticeships, encourage young entrepreneurs and showcase young job-seekers.

The trainees are the latest in a number of apprentices taken on by the dealership with Darlington College.

Four mechanic apprentices have started, with two – Darren Bean, 17, and 16-year-old Michael Jordison – following in the footsteps of family members who are employed by Sherwoods.

In addition, former bodyshop apprentice Anthony Frampton, 19, of Richmond, was offered the fulltime job after completing a three-year apprenticeship with the car dealership and Darlington College.

Aftersales manager Andy Hodgson is co-ordinating the apprentice scheme, which will see all of them bring offered jobs when they complete their training.

He said: “We have been working with Darlington College for more than 20 years offering young mechanics the chance to get a start in the industry through apprenticeship schemes.

“We are fully behind this campaign which aims to give young people practical help in finding work and every apprentice who we have trained to date has been offered a fulltime position within our company.”