SEVEN young people from Bolton and Bury are celebrating becoming the first graduates of a new apprenticeship programme.

Bury North MP David Chaytor visited 02’s Bury customer service centre in Dumers Lane, Bury, to present them with their diplomas and find out more about the scheme.

They are the first people at the Bury site to take part in the 02 training programme, which gives them opportunity to learn while they earn.

The apprentices have qualified with the Contact Centre NVQ level 2 and will be offered full time jobs with O2, with a chance to study for further qualifications. Lauren Ashcroft, from The Haulgh, joined the scheme in September last year to train as a customer service adviser.

Lauren, aged 19, said: “Being able to train while you are working is an excellent way to begin your career. I’d never thought of this before I heard of the O2 programme.”

The apprenticeship programme is currently being rolled out across all of O2’s customer service divisions.