Apprentice joiner starts her first job thanks to house-building investment

Nicole Williams, 16, from Beverley, is one of 16 apprentices taken on as part of a 46.5m programme to build 331 homes throughout the East Riding, the first such scheme undertaken by the council in its history.

Miss Williams, who hopes to go on either to work for the council or become self-employed, said she considered herself lucky to have the job.

She said: "It's my first time building properties and I fancied a bit of a change. When the buildings are finished I will be able to look at them and say that I was involved in that."

The new homes, which are being built the length and breadth of the East Riding, are heavily insulated, have photo-voltaic panels, which generate electricity and can be easily converted to suit older people. The first homes to be finished will be in Cliff Road, Market Weighton, and will be handed over to their new owners next month.

Jason Papprill, managing director of Hobson & Porter, which has built several of the schemes for the council, said:"The construction sector has suffered a huge loss of jobs and skills during the recession and we are determined to ensure these skills are maintained and carried forward to the next generation."