Two apprentices have been playing an important role in helping to make sure that a popular tourist attraction is ready to open later this month.

Matt Challis and Aaron Dobson joined the maintenance team at Pleasurewood Hills last year and have been busy making sure the rides at the Lowestoft theme park are ready for the thousands of people who are expected to visit between March and October.

The pair were both offered an advanced apprenticeship after successfully completing work experience at the park while they were students on the Level 2 Maintenance Engineering course at East Coast College, Lowestoft Campus.

During the work experience programme, both impressed the park's maintenance team with their attitude and knowledge and were offered places with the permanent team.

As apprentices, Matt and Aaron get to spend time working alongside the members of the park's maintenance team and also attend college for one day a week. They have both seen first-hand how positive joining the apprenticeship programme has been for their career development.

Matt, 18, said: 'With an apprenticeship I find that I am learning at a more practical level. I get to do more hands-on work which helps me understand the work better – it's my preferred way to learn.'

Aaron, 19, has found that becoming an apprentice has helped to boost his confidence and recognises that it has also helped him to develop a more mature attitude. And, when he finishes his apprenticeship, Aaron hopes it will open a door to the world of higher education and an engineering degree.

Adam Noble, general manager at Pleasurewood Hills, said: 'We're really pleased to support the apprenticeship programme as it is great way to be able to encourage and support people looking to start their careers in the engineering industry and boost the workforce at the park.

'Several people from the maintenance team began their own careers as apprentices so they really do understand how valuable this kind of training can be in preparing for the world of work.'