SIX young people will earn as they learn at Kielder Water & Forest Park after gaining placements with Northumbrian Water.

The group have taken up sponsored placements as they follow apprenticeship programmes through Gateshead College.

Half of the group, Victoria Grundy, Ryan Welton and Harry Ross Mellars, have taken on the roles of apprentice rangers, helping to look after the natural environment and wildlife around the company’s sites.

Alex Proud and Ben Pickett will work as maintenance apprentices, and Ryan Gardner has joined the team as an apprentice in the guest services team.

Tracey Greener, training contracts manager at Northumbrian Water, said: “Apprenticeships are a fantastic opportunity to gain real workplace experience while also learning the academic elements that support a career.

“It’s fantastic that we have been able to offer such a valuable experience to these six young people in the beautiful surroundings of Kielder.

“Kielder Water & Forest Park has built up over the last 35 years around an operational site, Kielder Water, which is Northern Europe’s largest man-made lake.

“This unique setting will give these young people a chance to earn and learn in a place where they will come into contact with a range of disciplines and job types, from customer service, travel and tourism, to environmentalism, maintenance and water supply.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity for us to work with and support young people who will be a part of the work force of the future.”

Earlier this year, Northumbrian Water Group helped to launch the Energy and Utilities Skills Partnership, with the aim of filling 221,000 roles in the sector by the year 2027.