The young trainees were let go by local companies but Ameon decided to double its planned 2020 intake of apprentices from five to ten.

The five will join the first year electrical and mechanical apprentice cohort at Ameon and will work across the region on a series of high profile contracts in Manchester, Liverpool, Preston and Cheshire.

Contract director, Rod Bunce said: “Without continued employment, the mature apprentices would not have been able to complete their training and studies, so although we had budgeted already for our planned apprenticeships this year, we couldn’t turn a blind eye to the situation of these young people.

“It would have been such a waste of their talent, efforts and study to date, and we are happy to have stepped in to offer them another chance.

“Our decision wasn’t all about altruism though because we know we’re investing in our business by helping these young people achieve their qualifications, which means we’ll add more experience to our existing workforce, thereby enabling us to deploy more skilled people on an increasing number of contracts.”

Fourth year apprentice, Robert Jackson, of Fulwood, said: “It was a shock to lose a job so close to qualifying, particularly in the current climate, so I’m really pleased that Ameon has given me and the others a chance.

“I’m older than the other apprentices, and have had my taste of university and world travel before settling on an apprenticeship, so I want to qualify because I’ve finally found something I really enjoy.

“Taking time to settle on a career path probably runs in the family, because my dad, Don, left his previous job and decided to go to university while in his mid-forties, to gain a degree in electrical engineering.

“That was his goal, and I think I can achieve mine with Ameon.”