Employees from Amey, who deliver highways maintenance services on behalf of Central Bedfordshire Council, spent a day with students and staff at Central Bedfordshire College’s Engineering and Motor Vehicle Centre to talk about National Apprenticeship Week as part of its commitment to take on 1,000 apprentices over the next four years.
Existing and former apprentices talked about their experience of the Amey Apprenticeship Programme to encourage students to consider an apprenticeship and discover the wide range of opportunities available at Amey, in highways and across the other services delivered by the company across the UK.
Jake, an existing apprentice at Amey spoke about his personal involvement and was pleased at the interest shown by the students who took part in the day. Jake said: “I was able to explain to students how the apprenticeship scheme works on a practical level and how I’ve benefitted from being involved. I think everyone was surprised at the range of apprenticeships Amey is able to offer and it was good to see the huge level of interest from potential apprentices.”
Chirag Chauda, a first year Level 3 Mechanical Engineering student at the College, added: “Learning from people already in work has inspired me to continue to work hard to finish college to get into a career. It gave me an insight into real life and enhances what happens in our lessons.”
The day was a joint collaboration between Amey and Central Bedfordshire College as part of their planned activities to support National Apprenticeship Week. 3% of Amey’s workforce are apprentices and the company has committed to employing a further 1,000 apprentices over the next four years. Every apprentice is supported through their chosen career path with the on-the-job training, time to complete a relevant qualification and the opportunity to achieve their Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Business Award.
Jon Shortland, Account Director for Amey, 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 Central Bedfordshire and events like this demonstrate how an apprenticeship is a great way for young people to learn new skills.”
Every student took part in six different activities throughout the day to understand more about career opportunities at Amey in a practical environment, such as learning more about the winter maintenance service and the vehicles used, to building structures from straws to discover the strongest design.
The Motor Vehicle students also showcased their valeting skills transforming a number of dirty cars during the day. Everyone commented on the great work completed by the students who operate the valeting business at the College as part of the Enterprise Club.
In addition to discussing the apprenticeship scheme, students also got to learn about the dangers of drink and drug driving, driving inappropriately for the road conditions, using a hand-held mobile device whilst driving and other road safety issues.
Sarah Mortimer, the Vice Principal: Curriculum & Strategic Partnerships at Central Bedfordshire College said: “An excellent occasion for our students to experience the scale of opportunity within such a major employer. Our students were clearly enjoying the day and gained a real insight in the world of work across the local area. They also had the opportunity to experience first-hand the factors that can dramatically impact on road safety via OSCAR, the crash car simulator experience.”
It was also the first public booking of OSCAR, the safety car programme delivered by Amey for Central Bedfordshire Council.
Ali Hadawi CBE, Principal and Chief Executive, added: “OSCAR is a great idea in enabling young people to experience road traffic hazards and to raise awareness of road safety whilst driving.”