TWO young people have won apprenticeships, and with it paid on-the-job training, at West Oxfordshire District Council.

Daniel Oliver, 18, and Chelsie Johnson, 16, started work last week and will spend the next two years training as revenues and benefits service apprentices.

They will deal with claims for housing and council tax benefits and work towards a qualification in revenues and benefits, equivalent to two A-levels.

Daniel, who finished his A-Levels at Matthew Arnold School in Cumnor in the summer, said: “I was working part-time in a shop, but I wanted a full-time job after finishing my A-Levels.

“University did not appeal to me because I did not like the thought of getting into debt.

“I thought it was a good opportunity because I could carry on learning while working and earning some money.”

He added: “I hope this will be a stepping stone and help me to gain some good experience towards my future career.”

Chelsie, who completed her GCSEs at Bartholomew School in Eynsham in the summer, said: “This will give me the chance to gain a qualification.”

The council is running the scheme after a successful pilot in 2009, which saw three apprentices employed.

Councillor Simon Hoare, cabinet member for resources, said: “We were very keen to extend the scheme at a time when it is difficult for some to get a job or pay university fees. We will hopefully be able to carry this on in the future.”