Staffordshire building services maintenance company George Birchall Service has bolstered its support for local school leavers through its latest apprenticeships.
The company, which employs around 120 multi-disciplined service engineers and offers a range of programmes for commercial and industrial companies, has taken on four young trainees.

Shaun Collier and Nick Findlay are working as engineering apprentices and Sam Cartlidge as an administration assistant, while Alice Reynolds has been given a full-time job as a customer service assistant, all based at the company's Newcastle-under-Lyme head office.

Nick, Sam and Alice were awarded placements through the company's successful association with PM Training, the social enterprise arm of the Aspire Group, while Shaun arrived through a BEST (Building Engineering Services Training) programme.

Chris Windass, UK service director of George Birchall Service, said: 'The company takes its responsibility for supporting local communities very seriously, and happily most of our apprentices go on to enjoy rewarding long-term jobs with us within the building services and heating and ventilation industry.

'One of the key success factors of the scheme is the on-the-job-training our apprentices receive from our skilled staff in the field. This is great testament to the culture of the organisation and the people who work here.'

Left to right are Chris Windass, Tony Birchall, Sam Cartlidge, Nick Findlay, Alice Reynolds and Shaun Collier, and PM Training chief executive Will Nixon