In time for National Apprenticeship Week (Feb 1-5) B&Q has announced that it will double its apprenticeship intake this year.
From September 2010 B&Q will make 300 places available, and for the first time, external candidates will be able to apply as well as staff already employed by the retail chain.

There are currently 130 staff taking part in B&Q's first apprenticeship programme all of whom, says the company, are on track to complete it this July

The 12-month 'on-the-job' training programme is intended to "ensure B&Q has friendly, expert staff of all ages," said Kingfisher ceo Euan Sutherland. For this reason, there is no age limit on the scheme, meaning one of this year's participants is 70-year-old Terry Robinson on Oxford.