Teen Lands Dream Job After Offering To Work For Free During Furlough

Joe Thornton was furloughed twice from his mechanical engineering apprenticeship but said he didn't want be 'at home playing Xbox' all day.

Seventeen-year-old Joe started applying for unpaid work at local businesses and was offered a voluntary role at vacuum engineering specialists Dax-Air Limited.

But after just one day managing director Neil Hewitt was 'blown away' by Joe's work ethic and offered him a paid job.

"It's one of my dream jobs as an apprentice - even before I finished school I knew that I wanted to go into this line of work - when Neil gave me this opportunity it was massive for me."

Neil said he was so struck by Joe's work ethic he knew he wanted to offer him a more permanent position.

Neil said: "Joe said that he didn't want to be stuck at home watching TV and playing his Xbox, and that he wanted to be out working and learning.

"What struck me the most about Joe was the simple fact that he wants to do something and make something of his life - he's somebody who wants to work with his hands and learn a proper trade.

"His whole attitude and demeanor is, 'yes I want to and yes I can' - he's not looking for excuses not to, he's looking for excuses why he can - and I just thought that had to be supported.

"Joe was absolutely tickled pink when I offered him the job - he was a bit taken aback at first because he wasn't expecting it - he just thought that he was going to volunteer for a few days."

Neil shared the story about Joe on LinkedIn where it's racked up thousands of likes.

And the managing director has high hopes for his new hire, who he has paired with mentor and vacuum 'guru' Neil Patterson.

Neil added: "Joe's got a job for life at my company - from what he's shown me so far he's a right grafter and if he carries on like this, he'll be a bloody good asset to us - as long as nobody steals him from me.

"He fits in with us an absolute treat - he just gets stuck into whatever task he's given and so far, we've only needed to show him anything once.

"I meet a lot of apprentices - it's hard to quantify with Joe, you know when you just meet somebody and you think 'what a cracking person, they're going to do well' - that's my gut feeling about the lad."