An East Oxford cooperative which recycles bicycles is looking to take on six out-of-work 16- or 17-year-olds as apprentices under a Government-sponsored scheme to give youngsters practical training.

Oxford Cycle Workshop, which has a shop in Magdalen Road and a new workshop in Glanville Road, is also offering two paid job placements for 18-to-24-year-olds who have been unemployed for six months or more.

Director Dan Harris, pictured, right, with co-director Jonty Semper, said: “In a recession businesses can think it’s a burden to take on a young person and train them up when they’re feeling a pinch on their pockets.

“The brilliant thing about this scheme is that it supports organisations that want to take on young people and create jobs.”

During the six- to 12-month apprenticeship, they will learn to fix and assemble all parts of a bike and learn stock control and retail skills.

They can then join the workshop and became a member of the co-operative.

Anyone interested in either scheme should visit apprenticeships.org.uk or call 0800 015 0600. The deadline is Friday, March 5.