Offering Apprenticeships has enabled Dray & Sons to successfully pursue a policy of recruiting young people from the firm's local area.

The company prefers to recruit locally because of the transport advantages, but director John Dray admits the policy limits the pool of recruits available. "It makes it more important to ensure that you select applicants with the right attitude, and their response to Apprenticeship is a good indication.

"It is not an easy course - the apprentices have to show a lot of commitment.The majority of our apprentices have kept up their dedication and have become far better employees as a result.

He said taking on apprentices at regular intervals meant that the current trainees were at different stages of their courses and therefore easier to absorb into the workforce.

"It works very well for us.We use day release rather than block release because it suits our working arrangements better and allows the apprentice electricians to build up their on-the-job practical experience on an ongoing basis."