A FORTNIGHT’S work experience has paid off for two Stockton Riverside College students after bosses were so impressed with their work that they offered the pair permanent contracts.

Heather Watson and Daniel Chantrell were snapped up by Teesside food manufacturer, SK Foods, after they carried out work placements as part of their course on The Prince’s Trust Team programme.

Heather, 18, of Billingham, who has struggled to find work since leaving school, said: “I couldn’t believe it when they offered me a permanent position.”

Having spent the last two years doing volunteer work she added: “This will be my first paid job and I can’t wait to get started.”

Daniel, 23, of Stockton, said he was also shocked and delighted to be offered a full time job at the firm’s factory in South Bank, Middlesbrough.

“I didn’t expect it at all,” he said. “This is the first time I have done a work placement and have been given a job offer at the end of it - and I have done quite a few.”

The pair, having both now completed their Prince’s Trust course, will take up positions as production operatives on the factory floor.

SK Foods managing director, Jeremy Faulkner, said: “Both Heather and Daniel worked exceptionally well and as a result of that we offered them both jobs.”

As well as providing work placement opportunities for the two students the food manufacturer also helped fund a community project carried out by the Stockton Riverside College Prince’s Trust Billingham Team.

The Prince’s Trust Team programme is a 12-week development scheme helping unemployed young people to build their confidence and skills through a series of challenges and tasks including a work placement and community projects.