SIX young people are looking forward to a bright future after securing apprenticeships at the Wilton International site on Teesside.

The cohort are the latest recruits chosen to join the ranks of Sembcorp Energy UK apprentices at the Wilton site, following in the footsteps of youngsters who’ve gone on to play key roles within the business.

The energy provider is linking up with Stockton-based NETA Training to help deliver the skills of their trade.

Isaac Waters, 16, who has secured a position as a mechanical apprentice, said: “It has been a strange year, but things really do seem to have worked out all right.

He is among those who left school with predicted grades after exams were cancelled in the summer.

Now just a few months into a full-time engineering course with NETA, he said: “I hoped to go on to get an apprenticeship but never expected it to happen this fast.”

Starting next month, Isaac will be joined on site by new apprentices, Thomas Bate, Harry Russell, Taylor Watson, Conor Nelson and Ella Snaith.

With five NETA students among the successful cohort, NETA’s strategic business development coordinator, Dave Thompson, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for these learners as they start their careers.

“We are delighted to have been given the chance to work with Sembcorp to develop an apprenticeship that will help fit the needs of the business on the Wilton site.”

Sembcorp’s HR business partner, Graham Taylor, said: “In line with our succession plans apprentices are an absolute priority for Sembcorp and fundamental to our future business success.

“Central to our vision and aspirations is our policy of providing career opportunities to apprentices that allow them to flourish and develop to their full potential.”