A TEENAGER is taking his first steps towards a promising career in the catering and hospitality trade after gaining an apprenticeship at a popular Saltburn café.

Morgan Speirs, 19, is continuing his bar apprenticeship at Milo’s Café Bar after receiving vital job search and funding support from Beyond Housing’s New Directions team.

After taking over the Destinations Café in the coastal town in 2018, Janet Dalton rebranded and refitted the café to become Milo’s Café Bar, introducing a night-time bar service, and was looking for an apprentice to add to her team.

Ms Dalton was introduced to the New Directions team in Redcar through Northern Skills Group to help fill the vacancy and after reviewing a shortlist of suitable candidates she was delighted to offer Morgan the role thanks to his enthusiasm and bar experience.

The young apprentice was supported by New Directions through a week’s trial period to ensure the position was right for Ms Dalton and Morgan, as well as receiving funding for his travel costs and a uniform.

Morgan said: “I’d recommend anyone looking for an opportunity to consider an apprenticeship. I am really enjoying the job and was so pleased to be offered the chance with Milo’s Café Bar. The support from New Directions was really important and helped me to get the start I really wanted.”