Next steps is back with up to four apprenticeships up for grabs.

Local firms, TRJ Ltd and Lloyd and Gravell Ltd, have teamed up once again with Constructing Carmarthenshire Together - a partnership between Carmarthenshire County Council’s Property Services section, Coleg Sir Gâr, and Carmarthenshire Construction Training Association Ltd – to run the annual competition.

In its eighth year, the competition is open to men and women living in Carmarthenshire aged 16 and over, and no previous experience is required.

Shortlisted applicants will spend one week at Coleg Sir Gâr’s Ammanford campus to learn 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.

At least two people will win a paid construction apprenticeship with Lloyd and Gravell Ltd and TRJ Ltd. The project will run from Monday, July 3 to Friday, August 11. Winners start their apprenticeships in September.

TRJ Limited’s director, Owain Jones said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for anyone looking to pursue a career in construction with no experience necessary.”

Since 2010, over 60 candidates have taken part on the Next Steps Scheme. Seventeen candidates have won traditional apprenticeships with Lloyd and Gravell Ltd and TRJ Ltd. Fifteen have secured apprenticeships on the Shared Apprenticeship Scheme with CCTAL/Cyfle Building Skills and 25 have enrolled on full time education at Coleg Sir Gâr. One winner who completed his apprenticeship with Lloyd and Gravell has since started his own business taking on apprentices also.

Lloyd and Gravell director, Kevin Gravell said: “Regardless of age, candidates will have the chance to learn new skills such as carpentry, bricklaying and plastering and at the same time work as part of a team.”

Entries are now open, for further information and to download an application form visit www.nextstepscarmarthenshire.co.uk Deadline for entries is Thursday, June 8.