STUDENTS lit up an award-winning Ulverston company after securing sought-after apprenticeships.

LED lighting company Forge Europa took on four apprentices from Barrow Sixth Form on Rating Lane.

Julie Barton, HR director, said recruiting locally and attracting students with A-Levels had contributed to the firm’s success.

She said: “We find that those who have studied A-Levels are more prepared for the workplace, they’ve often had part-time jobs, are prepared for the interview and they have confidence that makes them stronger candidates.”

Hannah Kendall and Brett Umar joined Forge Europa last year after studying A-Levels at Barrow Sixth Form.

They join Daniel Cottam and Lois Prescott who are both recent Barrow Sixth Form students and among nine staff who studied at the college.

Brett said: “I didn’t apply to university because I didn’t want to be in debt. We found out that Forge Europa were recruiting in our tutor group meeting so I thought it was a brilliant opportunity."

Principal David Batten said the students’ academic achievements at A-Level were enabling them to enter the workforce at a professional level.