We are delighted to have taken on Six apprentices over the past year. Blyth-based F Southern which has a staff of 30, is expanding to cope with an increasing demand from commercial clients in the public and private sector. The business has chosen the apprenticeship route for growth to train the next generation of staff for the family-owned firm. Managing director, Stephen Southern, son of founder Frank, said, “My Dad’s retired now and he’s really proud of what we’re achieving and how the business is growing for the future with a new generation of young staff. But dad still comes in to give us advice, and even does the odd job here and there”.