You’re hired! Cheshire East welcomes its latest group of apprentices to its highways team

 

You’re hired! – Cheshire East Council has welcomed its latest apprentice recruits to its high-flying highways team

A record number of 11 young people attended their induction at Brunswick Wharf as the third and latest group of apprentices with Cheshire East Highways.

It was a busy day being welcomed by not only service leader Chris Shields and his staff, but also by Ringway Jacobs managing director Mike Notman and senior figures from the  Council’s commissioning leadership.

The recruits had several briefings and opportunities to go out on site and a have their group photograph taken at Cheshire East’s HQ at Westfields, Sandbach, alongside Cabinet member Councillor David Topping and Lorraine Butcher, head of strategic commissioning at the Council.

Cllr David Topping, Cabinet member in charge of service commissioning, said: “It is really great to see such enthusiastic, energetic new talent joining our superb highways team.

“Our award-winning apprenticeship scheme ensures these young people gain extensive work experience. They are supported and mentored throughout their placement as well as gaining a nationally recognised qualification.

“The scheme acts as a bridge from school or college helping young people of the Borough become work-ready and valuable employees. We take great pride in helping unlock their talent, give it direction and watch them really fly with the responsibilities they take on.”

The apprenticeships, all of which are supported by college courses, cover a wide range of activities within the business and last for two years – with successful apprentices being offered continuing roles with Ringway Jacobs at the end.

This year’s apprentices, who range from the age of 16 to over 21, will see three employed in highway maintenance, three in civil engineering, two in business administration, one in finance, one in quantity surveying and one in street lighting.

Chris Shields said: “These are really exciting times to bring young people into the organisation, creating fantastic opportunities.”

Cheshire East Highways is proud to announce that with the introduction of these latest recruits, apprentices account for nearly 15 per cent of its employees, which far exceeds the average in this business sector.

Corporately, Ringway Jacobs (now with nine per cent of employees as apprentices) has backed this with joining the Five Per Cent Club, which consists of public and private companies in the UK who want to make a difference and support the UK’s ability to compete in global markets through transforming the fortunes of young talented people by offering apprenticeships and graduate schemes.

Ringway Jacobs’ managing director Mike Notman said: “I’m delighted that we continue to bring in young talent into our organisation, developing the skills and experience needed for the long-term success of our business.”