POSTAL worker Farook Patel has given a training programme his stamp of approval!

Farook, 20, signed up to a Modern Apprenticeship under the XTEND scheme for school leavers in East Lancashire.

The former Beardwood High School pupil is now working at Darwen Post Office and working towards an NVQ in customer service.

"The qualification, together with the experience I have gained since leaving school should help to achieve my management ambitions," said Farook, from Darwen.

More than 3,000 East Lancashire school leavers are currently taking part in the XTEND programme which offers Modern Apprenticeshiips, National Traineeships and other work-based training.

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