Apprentices and graduate join team
CHESHIRE East’s highways department is paving the way for local young people starting out on their career in transportation.
The highways team has welcomed its latest intake of apprentices and a graduate, with this year’s cohort including five young apprentices from the Crewe and Macclesfield areas. They are employed in highway service – with four in highway maintenance, one in business administration and a graduate in highways structures.
Since the launch of the apprentice scheme in 2012, 34 apprentices and four graduates have joined the highways service on a two-year programme, which provides individuals with the skills required for the delivery of highways services in the borough.
The apprentices will rotate between departments within the highways service and supplement their on-the-job training with studies at local colleges.
Successful completion of the apprenticeship and course secures permanent employment with Cheshire East’s highways team.
Councillor Glen Williams, deputy cabinet member for highways and infrastructure, said: “We are delighted to welcome a new group of enthusiastic young people and are committed to training the future of young professionals as we continue to deliver highway improvements throughout Cheshire East. The apprentice and graduate scheme has proved successful in growing highway skilled staff since it began in 2012.
“Ongoing training and support is provided to the individuals and we look forward to working together to help them gain their qualifications.”
Apprentices and graduates account for seven per cent of employees at Cheshire East highways, exceeding the industry average.
The council’s highway service is delivered by Ringway Jacobs, which has committed to the development of young people through its membership of ‘The Five Per Cent Club’.
This is an organisation that encourages public and private companies to have five per cent of their UK workforce made up of young people on structured training such as apprenticeship and graduate schemes.