YOU'VE got to tip your hard hat to the founder of the booming York company, Guildford Construction Ltd.

As a builder to his toecaps, John Guildford, knows that the forecast of £7 million turnover was achieved on good foundations made rock solid through recruiting, training and supporting staff of the highest calibre, whether school age or mature workers.

That is good reason for him to enter the Progress Through People category of our awards.

His company, started in 1992 and now thriving in Huntington, has been a leading light in a new scheme aimed at helping teenagers who want to leave school for work, providing apprenticeships four those keen on learning building trades, rather than studying for academic exams.

Through the Work Related Learning project run with the City of York Council, four teenagers spent their last year in full-time education working with Guildford Construction. One of them, Shaun Thompson, is now enjoying his second year as an apprentice bricklayer there.

It has also offered apprenticeships to young people in building-related trades, such as painting and decorating, joinery and plastering.

The emphasis is also on staff training within Guildford's, encouraging NVQs in subjects including administration and accountancy.

And the needs of staff also extend to a conscious need for team spirit. Everyone keeps a close eye on the fortunes of Under Construction, the bay colt recently bought by the firm.