Eleana Jenkins, aged 19, of Biggleswade is being helped on the road to success in decorating thanks to a £500 bursary from the Connolly Foundation.
Moving on from a full-time course at Bedford College and into a construction apprenticeship meant Eleana was eligible for the grant to help towards tools or transport costs.
Head of Construction at Bedford College David Wilkins said: “The generosity of the Connolly Foundation will help learners on a range of full-time construction and courses here, who find it difficult to take up an apprenticeship because they haven’t the family finances to fund tools or transport. It will appeal to employers as it will be one less barrier for the employee to overcome towards becoming a valuable team member.
“We are continually grateful to the Connolly Foundation for its support of Bedford College in creating a generation of young people with the construction skills of tomorrow.”
Mick Callanan, of the Connolly Foundation, said: “We have been helping students at Bedford College who take up apprenticeships in the building industry for some years now, and are very happy to continue that support.”
Bedford College offers training from entry level at the age of 16 with progression on to degree-level learning for those who are seeking promotion or entry to roles such as a Project Manager.
Currently the college has apprentices working in construction in modern and heritage houses such as The Duke of Bedford’s stately home, Woburn Abbey and the Rothschild Mentmore Towers near Leighton Buzzard.