FHM West Midlands has taken on two new apprentices after launching a recruitment drive to increase its workforce.
The Coleshill-based regeneration specialist has recruited Ryan Shakespeare, an apprentice carpenter and joiner, and apprentice plumber Alex Yates, through its close links with Dudley Council's Future Skills and Stourbridge College.
Ryan and Alex are both studying towards NVQ Level 2 as part of their studies and fought off 8 other hopefuls to gain an apprenticeship with FHM.
As part of their apprenticeship scheme they will gain valuable experience working four days a week with FHM on various sites across Dudley and one day completing their course at Stourbridge College.
FHM is currently working in partnership with Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council (MBC) to ensure homes across the region reach the Government's Decent Homes standard by 2012, creating a brighter future for members of the community.
The package of improvements to tenants' homes includes full kitchen and bathroom refurbishments amounting to £1.4 million per year, over a five year period.
FHM's Training Manager Peter Coates said: "It was a very difficult selection process as we interviewed up to 10 hopefuls for apprenticeship schemes.
"Ryan and Alex stood out though as they shone through at interview stage and were the most enthusiastic out of the group."
He continued: "It's fantastic taking new people on, particularly in the current economic climate, and we always try and create close links with colleges in the areas where we work. This enables us to take on new apprentices and give something back to the communities in which we work.
"We're hoping to take some more apprentices on in the New Year, but it all depends on the schemes we're working on."
Ryan, 21, who lives in Dudley, said: "I'm delighted to have secured an apprenticeship with FHM and I'm gaining fantastic experience working on various sites in Dudley, not far from where I live.
"I really enjoy doing carpentry and the apprenticeship scheme is a brilliant opportunity as it's a guaranteed job at the end."
Alex Yates, 17, of Dudley, continued: "I'm delighted to be working with FHM, the apprenticeship scheme is a fantastic opportunity for me."
Councillor Les Jones, cabinet member for regeneration at Dudley Council, said: "One of the council's key priorities is finding jobs for local people and equipping them with the skills to do them.
"I am delighted FHM has been able to find work for these people, and shows what we can achieve by working in partnership."
