Ten people lucky enough to land a sought-after apprenticeship with Bradford’s biggest landlord have started work.

This year social housing group Incommunities has taken on the record number of apprentices to mark its tenth anniversary.

And among the new starters are one of its tenants.

Apprentice joiner Anthony Walker, 26, of Bradford, is the oldest member of the new cohort. He was inspired to apply for the position after seeing refurbishment work carried out to his home.

He said: “I have done labouring work since leaving school and my joinery apprenticeship with Incommunities gives me the chance to learn a trade and also help to improve other tenants’ homes.

“Seeing Incommunities workers do such a great job modernising my home gave me the idea to apply.”

Also in the new influx is 18-year-old apprentice plasterer Keeley McIntyre, of Shipley, who got a taste of her new trade after completing a diploma in plastering at Bradford College.

She said: “I was urged to apply to Incommunities by my college tutor. Incommunities has a good reputation for its training so this is a good opportunity for me to build my career.”

Incommunities’ youngest ever recruit, 16-year-old apprentice electrician Adam Renard, is also one of the lucky ten.

Joining them will be electricians Saqib Nawaz, 17, and Marc Coleman, 25, both of Bradford, joiner Aiden Carver, 17, also of Bradford, painter and decorator Christopher Deacon, 24, of Bingley, and plumbers Tion Richards, 24, Jonathan Perris, 18, and Jack Howgate, 19, all of Bradford.

Delroy Beverley, director of Incommunities’ maintenance arm, Propertysolutions, said: “We are delighted to welcome our ‘ten of the best’ apprentices.

“Recruiting these young people – ironically spanning ten years in age – is a fitting way of celebrating Incommunities’ first decade in business.

“It also demonstrates our commitment to maintain our investment in apprenticeships. With youth unemployment in the city running at more than 11 per cent it is more important than ever that as many local employers as possible back this form of vocational training.

“It was a very competitive recruitment process and I am delighted by the quality and diversity of our new recruits. Each new recruit is joining an award-winning training programme and the opportunity to build successful careers with one of the leading housing providers in the country.

“It brings our current total of apprentices training with us to 26.”

Earlier this year, Incommunities was named Job Creator of the year at the Telegraph & Argus Bradford Means Business awards.