Six Watford apprentices have been presented with certificates by Richard Harrington MP after completing a programme to improve housing association properties.

The group were the first apprentices to take part in the community maintenance team, a training enterprise set up by Watford Community Housing Trust in partnership with Construction Gateway.

The scheme offers the trust’s residents an opportunity to gain an NVQ in construction skills while carrying out kitchen and bathroom refurbishments at the homes.

The apprentices were joined by friends and family as they received their certificates in a presentation ceremony at Leavesden Green Community Hub.

Bradley Mellor, one of the apprentices who has qualified through the scheme, said: "I was doing carpentry at college when I read about the community maintenance team.

"I jumped at it because my college course was all based in the classroom but this is much more hands-on. It’s been brilliant, so much better for developing my skills. It’s shown me where to go in life."

Bradley’s mother, Shelley Pegg, who attended the ceremony, added: "It’s good for life skills and he’s really grown in confidence. And we can get him to do odd jobs around the house. I think it’s been fantastic, such a good idea."

A second cohort are due to complete their apprenticeships next summer, and the community maintenance team plans to recruit further apprentices to join the scheme in the coming weeks.

Richard Harrington MP said: "I really enjoyed meeting the new apprentices, they are a great group of people.

"This is a real opportunity they’ve been given here by Watford Community Housing Trust and I think they are going to do really well out of it."