Tuesday, 23 August 2011 19:29 British Gas has congratulated the successful apprentices of its recently expanded Apprenticeship scheme, which now also offers skills in customer service and administration.

Seven employees aged 16-21 from Manchester have become the first successful candidates to complete the eight month programme, which is provided by Damar Training.

Guided by in-house training by British Gas and support and assessment from Damar, the apprentices were also taught health and safety legislation and given the chance to improve their maths and English skills.

Stuart Hough, general manager of British Gas in Manchester, said: "Making sure that we are able to give our customers the highest level of customer service is of paramount importance to British Gas.

"In addition to this, the Apprenticeship programme helps us to support the local community by offering opportunities to young people and also helps us to attract staff who may not have considered a career with British Gas. We are extremely pleased with the success of the Apprenticeships and already have a further ten people doing the course."

The seven recently successful candidates of the new Apprenticeship are Philippa Gledhill (18, from Worsley), Jessica Turner (19, from Newton Heath), Tom Stevenson (19, from Stalybridge), Mike Truter (19, from Audenshaw), Mike Denny (21, from Stalybridge), Lemar Ghulam (20, from Whally Range) and Josh Earle (19, from Gorton).

British Gas also provides engineering Apprenticeships.

Ben Spencer