Six employees at Oxford Instruments company Superconductivity have successfully completed their training as engineers, writes Maggie Hartford.

Several are now being sponsored to compete full-time university degree courses. Superconductivity, based at Tubney Wood, near Abingdon, has set up the sponsorship scheme to ensure that it attracts bright employees and develops a pool of valuable people for the future.

The company takes on school-leavers with good GCSE grades, who then take part in a four-year day release programme, learning while they earn.

Dave Croft recently completed his apprenticeship and now works in engineering support. He said: "Oxford Instruments is supporting me in completing my degree in mechanical engineering."

Kathryn Jones, who is also studying mechanical engineering at Oxford Brookes, works for the company during her vacations. She said: "It's hard work going through university without funding and this sponsorship will help me.

Alsotaking part are Mungo Morgan, who has started his final year of his degree, Paul Maynard, in his second year, Philip Sawyer, who has just finished his apprenticeship, and Sally Claridge, who is on a professional management foundation programme.