A 10-year partnership between Forrest and housing provider Bolton at Home has created more than 20 apprenticeships for young people in the area.

So far, 21 full-time apprentices have been recruited in roles including joiners, electricians, plumbers, administrators and customer support officers, with further recruitment anticipated over the life of the partnership.

All trainees will be required to work towards a minimum NVQ Level 2 in their chosen discipline, with an option to train towards Level 3 on successful completion.

Forrest and Bolton at Home have a long history of working together. The current intake of apprentices is a result of a 10-year, £70m agreement for refurbishment and maintenance that the two organisations entered into in January 2013.

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Central to the agreement was a requirement to create job opportunities for local people. Forrest worked closely with Bolton at Home's Urban Care and Neighbourhood Centres (UCAN) – community hubs that help residents into training and employment – for the recruitment, with half of the apprentices coming directly through UCAN's employment referral scheme.

Paul Rigby, learning and development manager, Forrest, said: "At a time when many contractors have been forced to put a halt on taking on trainees, or are reducing staffing numbers, by offering these apprenticeships we are able to support local people in gaining relevant work experience and qualifications.

"From a business perspective, investing in apprenticeships will ensure we have a deep talent pool to draw from and support our extensive works programme in Bolton over the next decade."