STUDENTS have been given a taste of working life in a new scheme.

The young people from Middlesbrough College worked with The Prince's Trust and Greggs on the programme.

One student even delayed the start of a new job to complete the course and 12 others also graduated.

The three-week programme offered students the chance to gain a Level One qualification in retail skills including sales, customer care, stock control and health and safety.

Students completing the course graduated on Friday, and were presented with their certificates by College Principal Mike Hopkins in a celebration ceremony in the college’s new-look Waterside Brasserie.

One success story was Sarah Houghton, 19, from Eston, who has won a job at Marks & Spencer but asked if she could start the day after graduation so she could complete the course.

She said: “When I went for my job interview at Marks and Spencer, the things I learnt were really useful.”