AN apprentice got to taste life in the hot seat when he swapped jobs with his boss for the day.

Conor Blackett (both correct) traded places with John Davison, chief executive officer at The Social Resource Centre- a social care charity based in Ferryhill, County Durham.

The 19-year-old from Byers Green, near Spennymoor, had started a civil engineering course at Teesside University but decided it was not for him and became a volunteer at the Social Resource Centre.

That led to a job and in January he began a leadership and management apprenticeship.

He said: “Uni was a lot of travelling and cost, an apprenticeship means I’m earning while learning.”

While in charge, Mr Blackett chaired staff meetings and learnt about the organisation's stragetic operation.

He sent Mr Davison out on the lunch run and had him take minutes- jobs he usually fits into a working day alongside project work such as client surveys.

Mr Davison said: “We were all trainees one day so I was happy to let Conor run the show for the day, if he goes on to be chief executive here or elsewhere that will be great.”

He said working with Skills for Care and East Durham College to train apprentices is good for the organisation and regional workforce.

He said: “Apprenticeships mean we get a better trained team and are investing in the future.”