The latest recruits to James Frew Ltd have been welcomed to the business with the help of Kilmarnock FC.

The youngsters from Ayrshire, Glasgow, Inverclyde and Renfrewshire have been carefully selected from a number of applicants to take part in the company’s very successful four-year tailor made Modern Apprenticeship Programme.

James Frew has been running an apprenticeship programme for over 40 years. The company currently employs over 280 staff of which 25% started as an apprentice, including its very own managing director, Roddy Frew.

The 11 new recruits will join the company’s existing 15 apprentices and 1 pre-apprentice trainees who are all at various stages in the programme.

The apprentices include Mark McNaught (22) from Ayr; Peter Waterson (18) from Glasgow; Ryan Connelly (17) from Linwood; Kyle Rafferty (22) from Langbank; Charlie Potts (16) from Kilwinning; Jonathan Harkness (18) from Irvine; Adam Forrest (16) from Paisley; Declan Smith (18) from Stevenston; Kieran Finlay (19) from Port Glasgow who will all be studying Plumbing.

Aaron Downie (16) from Kilmarnock who will be studying Commercial Heating and Malcolm West Jnr (20) from Irvine who will be studying Joinery.

Kyle Rafferty, who gave up a career as a greenkeeper at Marr Hall Golf & Spa, said: “Hearing of the opportunity to join James Frew Ltd excited me as I knew it would be a new challenge, in a trade that would not only benefit myself but customers and the company. I aspire to be the best tradesmen I can be, to not only enhance my career within the industry but to pay back the company for the opportunity they have provided for me. This opportunity has truly changed my life and for that, I will always be grateful.”

Managing director Roddy Frew added: “The launch of James Frew Academy within Paisleys West College Scotland is a really exciting time for James Frew and all the new recruits. It helps to show just how much we are committed to training and developing our young apprentices and how we will continue to invest in our future. Ten of the new recruits will attend West College Scotland for the Plumbing & Joinery class and one will attend Kelvin College in Glasgow for the commercial heating class.

“All applicants were judged solely on merit and all showed excellent qualifications, skills and a great attitude to work which is exactly what James Frew is looking for. I am sure they will all be a tremendous asset to the business as they progress through the programme.”

The apprentice programme is open to young people aged over 16 and trainees have the opportunity to learn while gaining on-the job training and achieve a national recognisable qualification.

James Frew Ltd & Kilmarnock Football club wished all the new recruits good luck on their new journey ahead.