PUPILS on a Durham construction firm's training scheme could end up working for the company.

The Fit for Employment programme run by Bowburn-based The Esh Group was developed with Deerness Valley Comprehensive School, Ushaw Moor, and New College Durham.

It gives the youngsters experience of the industry and the chance to develop skills.

The first group of 100 students started in May and each week, ten follow a programme at The Esh Group 's training company, NECT.

In January, 50 students will progress to the next phase of training and in July next year, 30 will go forward to the final phase.

After that, The Esh Group will offer a minimum of 20 Modern Apprenticeship places to successful students.

Group managing director Brian Manning said: "Every year, we make significant investment in the development of our staff to meet the changing needs of the construction industry, and this initiative is yet another example of how important people are to our business and of our efforts to bring quality people through.

"We take great pride in the fact that many of our senior staff are home grown. Indeed, some are former students of Deerness Valley Comprehensive School itself."

Anne Lakey, the school's headteacher, said: "The programme is about ensuring that the students in our school are employable.''