A COMPANY at the cutting edge of the construction industry is offering an apprentice the chance to start a career in 3D design.

Bite Design Limited has become the latest company to sign up to the Post's campaign to find apprenticeships for 100 people in 100 days.

The company, based in Millicent Road, West Bridgford, has pledged to train an apprentice to help teach clients in the construction industry how to use its 3D design software.

It will be the first time the company has taken on an apprentice.

Adrian Harms, director at Bite Design Limited, said: "We are finding it quite difficult to find staff who have a certain level of knowledge.

"We are in a specialist area and have decided it would be a good idea to find someone to train from the ground up and then take them on.

"They can expect to learn new computer skills and look at how software is used in the construction industry."

Bite Design's staff help to train companies in the construction industry to use ArchiCAD building information modelling software (BIM).

The programme allows users to see a 3D image of proposed developments, and can be used to refine the design of projects.

Clients currently on Bite Design's books include major architects Maber and construction firm Laing O'Rourke.

Mr Harms said: "The models help to give designers information when making decisions at an early stage. These decisions often have the greatest influence on a building, such as its energy performance."

The Post's 100-in-100 campaign launched last week and is jointly backed by Derbyshire and Notts Chamber of Commerce and the National Apprenticeship Service.

Mr Harms said he hoped other companies would follow Bite Design Limited's example.

He said: "It's important we back campaigns like this. It is essential that in the UK we increase the level of expertise among our young people, not only through university but also by training on the job.

"Firms may be taking on more people who are being put off university by the prospect of rising tuition fees, and apprenticeships can give them another route into a career."

Businesses are now invited to pledge to take on apprentices.

The Nottingham Post will publicise every opportunity and every participating company, and we will feature apprentices as they join up and begin their training.

The apprenticeships will be featured on the NAS website www.apprenticeships. org.uk.

Applicants can view and apply online.