Eight apprentices have been welcomed to their new roles at Amey, the organisation who deliver highways maintenance services on behalf of Gloucestershire County Council.
The apprentices aged between 16 and 19 years old, have been appointed to take on a variety of jobs, from out on the roads to working in administration responding to customer enquiries or in the planning team scheduling work.
Ruth Kinsella, Account Director for Amey in Gloucestershire, said: “We are committed to helping young people develop their careers and our apprenticeship programme allows us to continually invest in the future generation. We want to recruit young, talented people who bring a fresh approach to delivering services across Gloucestershire. The enthusiasm shown by our apprentices already has been fantastic, and I wish them all the best as they progress through their apprenticeship.”
Cllr Vernon Smith, cabinet member for highways and flood at Gloucestershire County Council, said: “Being an apprentice gives young people the opportunity to gain a recognised qualification and develop professional skills, while earning a starting salary. Skilled and well trained young people are vital to grow Gloucestershire's economy and help it to flourish.”
The apprenticeship programme runs for 18 months during which time the eight apprentices will learn different skills, as well as completing a NVQ at Gloucester College and achieving their Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award. They will also have opportunities to carry out additional training sessions at local colleges and work alongside dedicated mentors who can share their wealth of industry experience.
One of the new apprentices, 25-year-old Lucretia Malcolm, said: “I was really pleased to be given a place on Amey’s apprenticeship programme, so I can gain work experience whilst also attending college to complete further training and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. It’s been great so far and I’ve already learnt so much. The rest of my team have been really welcoming and I’m looking forward to the rest of my apprenticeship.”
This year alone, Amey has already recruited nearly 100 apprentices across the UK and was recognised in the prestigious Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers list, announced at the National Apprenticeship Awards in November 2014. The list, which is compiled annually by the National Apprenticeship Service and City and Guilds, recognises excellence in businesses that employ apprentices as well as organisations that ensure their apprentices become successful and inspirational role models.