A CLECKHEATON teenager is helping switch on West Yorkshire to extend its high-speed fibre broadband after being taken on as an apprentice.

James Crossley, 19, is one of 66 apprentices employed by BT for their Superfast West Yorkshire project.

This aims to extend high-speed fibre broadband to 97 per cent of homes and businesses across a majority of West Yorkshire by the end of 2015.

He is learning the skills needed to install and maintain fibre broadband, alongside gaining a BTEC Level 3 Diploma in ICT Systems and Principles over two-and-a-half years.

He said: “I’ve really enjoyed my first year and I’m looking forward to where this job will take me next.

"Eventually, I’d quite like to get into training and teaching other apprentices.”