A Worcester business has received a £1,000 grant after taking on two apprentices.

Dolphin Computer Access, based in Blackpole, is the first business to benefit from the grant, recently unveiled by Worcester City Council, after apprentices Tom Hockney and David McKay joined the company to start their training in customer service.

The grant is available to small-and-medium-sized businesses within the city boundaries who have not previously appointed an apprentice.

Councillor Marc Bayliss, cabinet member for economic prosperity, said: “I am delighted that Worcester City Council is backing this scheme.

“We are providing a £1,000 grant to companies, which will be administered through Worcester College of Technology, to help when they take on apprentices.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for young people to get their foot on the employment and training ladder, in addition to ensuring that businesses within Worcester get the skilled workforce they need.”

Noel Duffy, managing director, said: “The funding is really helpful to allow us to provide Tom and David further training in the future and to help integrate them into the business.”

Mr McKay, who is partially sighted, moved to the area from Scotland to enrol on an IT skills course at RNIB Hereford after being unemployed for a number of years.

The 43-year-old said: “I had never realised that apprenticeships were open to people as old as me.

“The company is great to work for and having around 20 per cent of people with visual impairments they are really supportive of their staff. It really is a second chance for myself.”

Mr Hockney said: “I could comfortably get by working but doing an apprenticeship is far more fulfilling.

“I really enjoy getting paid to learn.”