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Eight bricklayers successfully started a 4-year apprenticeship this week with Hillcrest Enterprises and WH Brown Construction. Even in the current operating climate with a downturn in construction work and a lack of employment opportunities, Hillcrest has been able to continue their unique apprenticeship scheme with the support of local contractors.
The eight apprentices join eight apprentice joiners who have been working with George Martin Builders and Hillcrest Maintenance Service since February. All 16 will be given on site experience and formal training to gain their SVQ level 3 qualification. These apprentices join a further group of 16 Hillcrest apprentice joiners and bricklayers who are currently half way through their four year apprenticeship with WH Brown Construction. The new apprentices are the first intake into Hillcrest's recently opened Lawside training Centre where both apprentice training and "get ready for work" introductory training courses are delivered.
Graeme Keillor, Hillcrest Projects Manager, manages the Hillcrest scheme and commented:
"It's great that our apprenticeship programme continues to survive and thrive. We are especially excited to be offering apprenticeships on this occasion because of the slump that the construction industry is facing. We have been able to use our reputation with local firms to encourage them to participate and give young people the opportunity to learn the skills and get the experience they need to be successful in the construction industry."
The apprentices split their time during the first 18 months between on site work experience and their time with Hillcrest qualified trainers working towards their SVQ qualification. The Hillcrest SQA approved training model allows a 1 - 4 ratio of trainer to apprentice most of the time, which delivers their first two years training in approximately 18 months.
Ian Lindsay, Director of WH Brown said that "Working the apprenticeship in this way will hopefully ensure that the young people are more job ready to take up employment or further training opportunites at the end of it."
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