Waiting game for young plumber

 

Aspiring plumber Michael Driver is struggling to get his foot on to the employment ladder 18 months after leaving college.

Driver left Hartlepool College of Further Education with a Level 1 NVQ in plumbing but, apart from a month's temporary placement, is still looking for work.

The 20-year-old said since graduating from his plumbing course, he has applied for nearly 200 jobs. "I was kind of expecting to get work straight away. But it's a lot more difficult than I originally thought it would be."

Michael, who is broadening his job search to include bar work, labouring and work in care homes, said he felt his age was possibly putting employers off because of his lack of experience.