YOUNG apprentices who were cast adrift in the wake of the sudden collapse of Ferguson’s today hailed a new jobs lifeline thrown to them.

Four lads from the Port yard have been taken on at the Garvel Clyde drydock in Greenock.

Rescued Kevin Barrilli, Michael Sinclair and John Montague have taken their hats off to their saviours.

Relieved Michael, 23, today hailed the speed at which ship repairers and fabricators Garvel Clyde moved to ensure they still had a bright future in the marine industry.

He told the Tele: “It’s brilliant for us — there was no hanging about from Garvel Clyde.

“We went from having no job on the Friday and being back in work the following Monday. I’d be more than happy to stay here after I serve my time — it’s a great place to work. We’re just so lucky to get in at a place which is so close to home.” The Tele told last week how Garvel’s parent company, Aberdeen-based Dales Marine Services, were poised to take on the apprentices.

Kevin, Michael and John will soon be joined by workmate Darren Stevenson, who’s currently toasting his new job whilst on holiday.

Kevin, 23, from Port Glasgow, said: “It’s been a Godsend being taken on here as we have been worrying about what’s going to happen. We’re just starting out on our careers so it would have been difficult to get a job without finishing our apprenticeships.

“It was great for them to take us on and we really appreciate it. We also have a pay rise too, so it’s all good.

“We went from working with a brilliant bunch of guys to being out of work and looking for part-time jobs, anything. This feels like a second chance — a real lifeline.

“There could be offshore opportunities for us with the company in Aberdeen in the future, so we’ve really broadened our horizons by coming here.” Colleague John Montague said: “I was actually on holiday when the news broke about Ferguson’s so I didn’t really know what was happening until I got back. It’s great to know that I’ve got a job again so quickly — and with the experience we get here we’ll have even more stuff to put on our CVs.” Billy Pollock, operations manager at Garvel Clyde, said: “It’s a good move for the lads because they’ve had two years in shipbuilding and now they’ll get time on ship repair and fabrication.

“We’ve got 12 apprentices here now — including five first years whom we started just yesterday morning.

“I’m really pleased that we’ve taken them on and been able to give them a settled and secure future.” Michael Milne, general manager and director of Dales Marine Services, said he was ‘delighted’ to welcome the apprentices onboard. He said: “We were only too happy to help out the Ferguson apprentices, as they are all in their last year of training and it would have been a real shame for them not to finish it.

“We spend a lot of time and money ensuring our apprentices will get the best training, so these four will continue to get their on-the-job experiences.”