Carmarthenshire youngsters hoping for a career in the construction industry are being urged to apply for Next Steps.

The competition is back this year with four apprenticeships up for grabs from Betws building firm TRJ Ltd and Lloyd & Gravell Ltd.

Now in its seventh year, the competition is a joint initiative between the two firms and Constructing Carmarthenshire Together - a partnership between Carmarthenshire County Council’s Property Services section, Coleg Sir Gâr, and Carmarthenshire Construction Training Association Ltd.

It is open to men and women living in Carmarthenshire aged 16 and over, and it doesn’t matter about previous experience.

Candidates will spend a week at Coleg Sir Gâr’s Ammanford campus to undertake basic health and safety training for working on a building site; with a further five weeks of on-site work experience, where they will mentored by qualified tradesmen on a community benefit project to learn skills including carpentry, bricklaying, plastering and ground works.

Last year’s winners Cavan McGill and Dylan Jones are encouraging people to apply this year.

Cavan, aged 16, from Pembrey, won a carpentry apprenticeship with TRJ, and has no regrets.

He said: “I have the best experience, and I am so glad I did it.”

The pair spend three days a week in college and two days on site.

Dylan, aged 17, from Tyisha in Llanelli, is training to be a plumber, working for Lloyd and Gravell. He said: “It is really difficult to get an apprenticeship these days, so it was brilliant to get this. I would tell anyone to go for it.”

Since the competition started in 2010, it has provided 10 apprenticeships - and one former winner has even set up his own company.

A further 15 people have secured placements on Carmarthenshire’s Shared Apprenticeship scheme; 13 people on Pathways to Apprenticeships courses and four more have secured traditional apprenticeships.

Executive Board Member for Property Services Cllr Hazel Evans said: “This is an excellent opportunity for anyone to get a foot on the ladder of the construction industry, regardless of age or experience.

“The candidates will learn new skills in trades including carpentry, bricklaying and plastering, whilst working as part of a team.”

Entries are now open, for further information and to download an application form visit nextstepscarmarthenshire.co.uk Deadline for entries is Friday, June 10.