CONSTRUCTION firm Morgan Sindall was so impressed with three work experience candidates it took on, it decided to give them all jobs.
Matthew Grant, Thomas Sunderland and Wayne Wilkinson started work experience in September.
They were all asked to work on a project to design, supply and install 14km of new high- voltage cables for Western Power through Nottingham.
After four weeks, bosses decided to give them a three-month work trial, with the eventual aim of permanent employment.
The firm is one of many which have taken on work experience candidates during the Post's Get Notts Working campaign.
We asked companies in the city and county to take on one or more unemployed people for work experience, with the aim of reaching 200 pledges.
And we are fast approaching that target, with the current pledge total being 166.
Morgan Sindall linked up with Jobcentre Plus to find three work experience candidates, with Matthew, Thomas and Wayne being set on to help with their Western Power distribution project.
A spokesman for the firm said: "Through our existing national partnership links we contacted Andy Madeley at the local Station Street Jobcentre Plus in Nottingham, who worked with us and identified a range of excellent candidates who were interviewed.
"Three people were selected to work with our teams out on the project route."
All three said they were delighted with the progress they had made.
Matthew, 20, of Thorneywood, said: "It's great to feel part of something big such as the upgrading of the high voltage cable system in my local area."
Thomas, 19, of Mapperley, said: "I really enjoy being a team member. Having a structure and purpose in my day gives me confidence."
Wayne, 21, of Forest Fields, said: "I enjoy waking up and knowing that my day will be full of interesting and varied work."
Their first day consisted of full company health-and-safety training covering hazards they are likely to find in their work. They also received personal protective equipment, with a red hard hat denoting their trainee status for easy identification on site. They have done a number of tasks including using utility drawings to find existing cables and prepare the ducts for installation.
One of their mentors, Aaron Lycett, said: "It's great that, as a company, we are encouraging young people into this industry – they have shown great commitment with excellent attendance, always asking questions and eager to learn more.
"You can see that they really want to be here."
