"I get on with the tutors; they’re very different at College from secondary school – they treat you more like adults."

Shaun is 18. At school in year 10, he did work experience with Kinetics and he was offered a place with the company when he’d finished his GCSEs.

“I had to get grade C in Maths, it made me really work for it. Kinetics took me on as an apprentice and in September I joined the College. I’ve just passed my Level 2 Plumbing, and I’m starting Level 3 advanced plumbing including gas, then I’ll do the ACS certificate and qualify.

The two years at College have been good, I’ve passed all of my exams without a struggle. I get on with the tutors; they’re very different at College from secondary school – they treat you more like adults.

I didn’t like the thought of going to College to do A-level subjects like maths, psychology, English – an Apprenticeship is better for me. I get a bit of income. I’d rather use my hands, get more involved in the working side, but I still meet people in College. People think you earn loads as a plumber, it’s not true really, certainly not at first. But I aim to earn 60 grand a year eventually, that would be nice…”