A YORK building firm offered a bricklaying student work experience in the city after reading about his award win at York College.

Josh Patten was offered a week-long placement with construction company Lindum Group, after he was featured in the business pages of The Press.

He was profiled by the paper after winning a York College award for his bricklaying skills and was given the chance to put his talents to good use at Lindum’s York Racecourse site.

Lindum, based at Elvington, is currently carrying out a major redevelopment at York Racecourse, which includes new toilet blocks, better access for wheelchairs and pushchairs, very close to the listed Clocktower building.

Mr Patten, who previously attended Archbishop Holgate’s School, said he was delighted to be offered work experience at the prominent site.

Lindum managing director Jonathan Sizer said: “The construction trade is facing a potentially crippling skills shortage and we are keen to employ good people directly and bring fresh talent into the industry.

“Opening up our sites to keen and talented newcomers is vital if we want to meet the labour demands of the way in which we work.

“We were delighted to have Josh working as part of the team. He is definitely one for us to keep our eye on for the future.”

Mr Patten spent a week at the Racecourse site, where he worked with site manager Gareth Townend and Lindum trainee Kieran Bond.

He said: “I was happy to do my placement at Lindum as they are a successful company with a good reputation for their work and for looking after their employees. During my time at the racecourse, I had a go at multiple tasks including blockwork and brickwork.”