Cruden Construction have teamed up with client Knowsley Housing Trust and Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council to support three Apprentices back in to work after loosing their jobs during the recession.

The Huyton House Close site is a £2.2 million design and build project for Knowsley Housing Trust to deliver 26 new build dwellings. The project started on site in July 2009 and is due for completion in June 2010.

Each of the Apprentices hopes for the future were dashed when they were told by their previous employers they could no longer afford to keep them on the payroll.

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The placements on Huyton House Close have been well received allowing the Apprentices, Leigh McLoughlin from Kirkby, Gary Meighan from Huyton and James Maguire also from Kirkby will be continue their apprenticeships in the construction industry with support of the Working Neighbourhood Fund – a joint partnership between Knowsley Housing Trust (KHT) and Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council (KMBC).

"It's given me a second chance," said Leigh, 22, an Apprentice bricklayer studying at Knowsley Community College. "It means I can carry on picking up new skills and experience and get a good start in my career."

"I'm over the moon," said Gary, 22. "Because of the recession there was not much full-time work around so I'm very grateful for the opportunity."

Cruden Construction Managing Director Alan Davies commented: "Cruden Construction are fully aware of the difficulties that apprentices are facing during the current recession and are delighted to have been able to work with KHT and KMBC in providing these three men with continuity to their training, employment and career development."

(CD/GK)