Swale Heating has recruited seven apprentices as part of a community initiative in partnership with clients AmicusHorizon and East Kent Housing.
Based at the company's Sittingbourne headquarters, the new recruits have embarked on plumbing and administration apprenticeships. They all live in housing properties owned by the two associations.

They were chosen after a selection process was agreed with housing association client AmicusHorizon and also East Kent Housing, which was set up by Canterbury, Dover, Shepway and Thanet councils to help improve housing services for tenants.

Matt Hobbs, client and resident liaison manager at Swale Heating said: 'The apprenticeships are two years initially qualifying them as plumbers with an NVQ Level 2. Those that show the correct aptitude and skills after this will progress to train and ultimately become gas engineers. They are paid and employed by us, initially on a two year contract, and there will be a job for all successful candidates after this.'

Swale Heating celebrates its 40th anniversary this year.