A TEENAGER has the recipe for success after securing a job as an apprentice butcher.

Kurtis Millward has been taken on by Newboulds.

The 18-year-old, who is carrying out his training alongside Redcar and Cleveland College, has been made acting manager at Newboulds’ branch in Wellington Square, Stockton.

Mr Millward, from Stockton, said he initially struggled to find work after finishing a car mechanic course and further training schemes.

However, he is relishing his new role.

He said: “I was offered a month’s trial and thought I would give it a go.

“At first I didn’t really know what I was doing, but I was given a lot of support and after a while it started to come naturally.

“After a couple of weeks I realised I loved coming to work.

“I definitely want to stay at Newboulds, but maybe one day it would be great to have my own shop or even be a regional manager.”

Mr Millward is completing a level two retail apprenticeship at the college, where he is learning the theory to sit alongside practical experience of knife and cutting skills, display techniques, customer service, health and safety and hygiene.

Paul Robson, Newboulds’ general manager, added: “We have given Kurtis this shop to manage on a trial basis and he is doing great; the profits are up.

“He is excellent working on the counter with customers and has shown a real flair for the business.”