A COLLEGE is celebrating its 100th plumbing apprentice.

The College at Braintree, part of the Colchester Institute, has taken Jason Paine, 24, who is working for local company PG Bones four days a week and studies at the college for one day.

Mr Paine said: “I worked in the industry for more than four years so I desperately wanted to get into the trade. I have a home with bills to pay and aged 24 I thought I was too old for an apprenticeship.

“Studying at college one day a week enables me to gain an understanding of legislation, theory and get experience in the workshop.”