Amey, one of the UK’s leading public service providers is celebrating reaching the 30th year of its Logistics Apprenticeship Scheme based in Sutton Courtenay.
Amey’s Logistics division has taken on apprentices for the last 30 years, and in the last ten years 9 apprentices have successfully completed the scheme.
A number of apprentices are recruited from local Oxfordshire schools and colleges including St Birinus School in Didcot. The apprentices undertake a three year scheme, and once complete they are also given the opportunity to apply for a higher diploma to further improve their skills set.
Steve Helliwell, Managing Director of the Logistics business division at Amey comments; “The apprenticeship programme provides the opportunity for young people to gain experience and an understanding of the industry sector as well as developing skills and gaining qualifications for future career development. It is important to support the local community in which we work by encouraging pupils from local schools and colleges to apply for the scheme.”
Amey, also facilitate a student project with St Birinus School. The project involves students from Year 12 visiting the Sutton Courtenay workshop 6 times in the year and completing a project on one of the road or rail vehicles. This led to Amey being nominated by St Birinus for an award at the 2009 South Oxfordshire Investors in Education Awards.
In partnership with local schools, Amey provide students with an insight and understanding of the career avenues and opportunities available within this sector. This includes encouraging non engineering students to apply for roles within the business
In the current economic climate, engineering skills are a scarce resource, attracting young people into the business that not only supports the business but provides a long term future and career for young people.
Amey has recently launched a new technical apprenticeship programme that will be managed from the International Design Hub in Birmingham. In conjunction with the Institute of Civil Engineers, Amey is looking to recruit new apprentices through working with local schools and colleges to identify 16 to 24 year olds who would be interested in joining the programme.