Permanent roles have now been secured for PD Ports apprentices Ewan and Josh.

It comes as a welcome relief for the pair after three and half years juggling the demands of work and their studies.

Picking up completion certificates from NETA director Sean Johnston, in this National Apprenticeship Week, Ewan said: “It feels pretty good.”

He started his electrical studies with a one-year course at NETA, before going on to secure the Level 3 Maintenance Operations Engineering Technician electrical route apprenticeship.

Now officially an electrical tradesperson with PD, it means more responsibility for the 22-year-old from Thornaby.

Of working for a company the size and scale of PD Ports, he said: “They are spot on and, if you need it, there’s always someone to help you out.”

Josh, 20, agrees. He said support from both NETA and PD Ports in the same level 3 apprenticeship helped him to achieve.

First applying for an apprenticeship straight from school, the former Ian Ramsey CE Academy student initially missed out on a spot.

Opting for a year of study at NETA clearly gave him what he needed to bag a space second time round.

Now moving into a full-time electrical tradesperson role, the 20-year-old from Norton, said: “It has been a lot of work, but it has paid off.”

PD Ports' group engineering director Andy Eaton said: “I take immense pride in our Port Maintenance Engineering Apprenticeship Programme and the talented individuals who have now successfully completed their four-year journey.

"Their dedication, hard work, and commitment have been truly inspiring, and it’s fantastic to see them transition from apprentices to fully qualified tradespeople within our team at PD Ports.”

A massive well done to both Ewan and Josh!