TWENTY new apprentices are to be taken on Ferguson Marine and will join their team in August.

The company is recruiting welding, fabrication and technical support apprentices.

The three-year training programme will see apprentices complete one year at newly opened facilities in the Finnart Street West College Scotland campus, specifically for the use of Ferguson Marine.

Sharon Coyle, head of HR for Ferguson, said: "Applications are now open for our apprenticeship scheme, which always proves popular with all ages, abilities and genders.

"This year apprentices will be able to complete their SVQ Level 3 qualification at the brand new facility within West College Scotland.

"After the first year spent at college, apprentices will keep working closely with West College Scotland for they carry out all assessments over the three year period."

Last year the scheme had over 300 applicants, ranging from 16-year-old school leavers to existing employees who wanted to become skilled workers.

Four of the 17 qualified apprentices in 2019, pictured, were female.

Ms Coyle said: "It's really open to everyone, we are looking for applicants from all backgrounds.

"Last year, apprentice Jennifer McKay, pictured, took home the coveted Worshipful Company of Shipwrights Silver Medal, proving how successful the scheme is."

Chosen applicants will have to complete an aptitude test, a skills test and an interview before beginning the scheme in August.

Ms Coyle added: "With the way things are just now, we'll have to be creative in our approach for interviews, but we're still really keen to ensure everything will go ahead as it should."

The deadline for applications is April 27.