APPRENTICES in Southampton are being given the chance to thrive in city regeneration projects.

The flagship £16m council estate rebuild at Hinkler Place in Thornhill has already seen the creation of new homes after the 1960s shopping and housing precinct was demolished for the new development, renamed Prospect Place.

And as part of Southampton City Council’s Estates Regeneration programme, young people are being given the opportunity to work on their neighbourhoods and gain skills for future job success.

Brandon Brown, 19, from Lordshill, was taken on as an apprentice with subcontractor HBS Group Southern in what is his first real chance to forge a career.

“I am working mainly on plumbing and renewable energies – stuff like solar panels,” he said.

“It’s the first time I’ve done anything like this and I am really enjoying doing this.”

Brandon took part in a construction work academy which included three weeks of work experience at the Hinkler site.

The academy was organised through a partnership between Southampton City Council, JobcentrePlus and Southampton City College.

“This opportunity has really helped me out and boosted my confidence – I am getting stuck in and hopefully will do well,” said Brandon.

So far nine apprentices have been hired to work on estates across the city since the project began in March 2010 The council is working with JobCentrePlus, the developer Barratt Homes and the subcontractors at Prospect Place.

A total of 107 new homes and a community centre are planned by the time it is |finished.

Mike Masters, a 25-year-old electrician from Thornhill, was rewarded when he saw boards going up around the building site and asked if there was any work.

He gained |a job with |sub-contractor Southampton City Electrical.

Mike said: “I have been an electrician for about six years and the work I am doing here is very similar to work I’ve done previously.

“This development is brilliant and the opportunity has given me a chance for a |better future.”

Councillor Peter Baillie, Southampton City Council’s housing spokesman, said: “Estates Regeneration is more than about bricks and mortar – it is about improving our tenants’ lives.

“This is why it is important that the transformation of our council estates provides real job opportunities for our young people and why it is central to the improvements we are making to our council estates.”