ACCRINGTON businesses are helping more youngsters to learn a trade after backing a high school’s latest qualification.

Rhyddings Business and Enterprise School can now offer a City and Guilds certificate in Construction after businesses pledged to provide equipment and discounted materials.

Those taking part include Whewells of Accrington, Mercer and Sons of Blackburn and Taps Plumbing Supplies, which are all sponsoring the school’s construction department. With their help, students will be able to learn joinery, plumbing, brick work, plastering and painting and decorating. The school also hopes to eventually expand into tiling and electrical modules.

Course leader Stuart Allan said: “This is a great opportunity for students to experience different construction trades and to give them a solid foundation if they wish to continue their education in the building industry. Without the help and advice of local businesses it would be difficult to get this exciting venture off the ground.

“We would also like to thank Burnley College’s building department, which worked hard to launch this project with the school and are providing an external verifier to assist in marking modular work.”