New apprenticeship off to a flier
A new flexible apprenticeship covering key plant operations is off to a great start – 35 trainees will be on it by the new year. The scheme offers separate and combined programmes for concrete, asphalt and aggregate processing plant and yellow machine operators.
Thirty of the new apprentices are recruits to the concrete plants at the Hinkley Point C (HPC) power station site in Somerset, while two others are at the new Isle of Grain concrete plant in Kent.
Two asphalt plant apprentices are based at Tytherington, South Gloucestershire and there is one trainee at Barton under Needwood, Staffordshire doing a joint aggregate processing plant and yellow machine course.
Senior plant trainer Steve Hamar said inductions on to the scheme, which has been designed with support from the Mineral Products Qualifications Council, started in November and will run into January.
“We are getting the word out across the company about the new apprenticeship and that it is the best way to recruit for new operational posts,” said Steve.
“There are no age limits and it is also open to existing employees. We had planned to start with a small group, but it has become much bigger because of the interest from our HPC team.
“It is supported through the 2017 apprenticeship levy, which is paid by all UK businesses with a wage bill of more than £3 million.”
Hands-on workplace learning makes up most of each 12-to-18-month course, along with off-the-job study towards vocational qualifications, and maths and English support for those who need it.
Steve worked on setting it up with HR’s Karen Wright and Cheryl Hadtstein, and Stewart Cameron and Dave Page from the HPC project team.
It is being delivered by Mentor Training Solutions and MP Skills with support from the University of Derby for the concrete and asphalt pathways.
HPC project lead Stewart said: “Developing our HPC concrete plant teams through the apprenticeship will ensure we have the skilled staff we need to achieve our commitment to outstanding service.”