It's the uni of life for apprentices at Butlins

The quartet are the first young people at the thriving holiday site to combine practical work and college courses this century.

Graham Boardman, 18, Francesca Parratt, 21, and Mindaugas Slepetis, 18, are painters and decorators. Will Sanders, 19, is an electrician.

They are taking NVQs at levels two and three at Chichester College as well as specialised exams related to their work.

Resort technical services manager Ian Shanahan hired the apprentices through Butlins' growing links with local colleges. He said: "Taking on apprentices means we are giving something to the community.

"At the end of the day, they will all pass their exams. If they decide to move on, so be it. We will have done our bit to help them and they are helping us by doing some really good work.

"It's a new experience for them, working with so many different types of people."

Jeremy Pardey, the resort director, said: "It's about a local business helping local young people. They are helping themselves and we are getting great service out of them."

Graham and Mindaugas live at Littlehampton, Francesca comes from Worthing and Will grew up in Brighton.

Graham, who wants to start his own business, said: "Being here is a lot different to college. You have got all your friends around you there and you speak to people on other courses and have a laugh.

"It's much more serious here because you are aware you are working for real."

Potential interior designer Francesca stated: "We've been making the environment much nicer for guests. We have been painting venues, a few hotel rooms, shopfronts and inside some of them."

Will added: "I've been wiring everywhere. I've helped to set up a new barbecue as well as going into chalets sorting out distributor boards and light switches. The experience here is unique because there is such a variety of work to be done."

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