A partner at an expanding Coventry company has urged other city firms to recruit apprentices.

Eighteen-year-old Lee Kinzett started working at Active Communications in Unicorn Avenue, Eastern Green, 12 months ago.

As part of his job as a trainee voice and data engineer, Lee has been attending the city's Henley College every Friday to learn more about IT via a Modern Apprenticeship course.

Pete Jacobs, a partner at Active Communications, has been so impressed by the knowledge Lee has gained and his work that he has now employed a second apprentice, 17-year-old Jimmy Duggan, whom will start the Modern Apprenticeship course in September.

"Other companies should look at taking on apprentices and signing them up for this course because it is worthwhile and they have both proved welcome additions to Active," Pete said.

"The key has been Lee's attitude because not only does he work hard he hasn't missed a single day at college."

"It is important to have some fresh input into our company and the industry because it is vital we invest in our future."

"By working with Henley College, both Lee and ourselves have moved forward and over the next two years he will be qualifying for his CISCO accreditation which will also be completed through Henley College."

Lee, a former pupil of Coventry's Woodlands School, said: "I thought I would just be learning about installing IT systems but I know more now about other subjects such as health and safety so it has been wide-ranging."

"I think it's a great idea to do a Modern Apprenticeship course and I have really enjoyed it."