Dad’s anger at Bradford plumber 'stuck in fast food job' (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Dad’s anger at Bradford plumber 'stuck in fast food job'

7:00am Saturday 23rd February 2013 in News

A dad has slammed a system that has seen his son qualify as a plumber and electrician – yet end up working at McDonald’s.

Matthew Hemingway, 20, has studied for the last four years and gained City Guilds qualifications in both trades.

But despite applying for numerous jobs and attending interviews, Matthew is stuck in a job that earns him about £160 a fortnight.

Dad Gary, 49, of Allerton, Bradford, said: “The lad is devastated. He has got off his backside and gone to college and worked hard.

“But he has wasted four years of his life and is on a downer about it all.”

Mr Hemingway said firms were turning his son down because he was “over-qualified”.

He said: “They want him to start from the bottom so they don’t have to fund him. If they take him on now, they won’t get any help from the Government.

“Matthew is willing to start again from the bottom, but firms won’t let him.”

Mr Hemingway said his son had completed parts one and two of his plumbing and electrical qualifications. He added that he wanted to focus on a career in plumbing and now just needed a firm to guide him through part three of the qualification.

“We just want someone to take a chance on him,” said Mr Hemingway. “He has got the determination.”