City of Wolverhampton College has joined forces with Bilston-based environmental contractor McAuliffe Group to offer a new apprenticeship to young people wanting to work in the construction industry.
The 15-month Level 2 construction plant operative apprenticeship combines studying at college with learning on-the-job, enabling apprentices to develop the necessary skills and knowledge required to work in the sector and gain practical experience on live construction sites across the region.
The training scheme covers operating and maintaining a range of plant equipment – such as excavators, ride-on rollers and forward-tipping dumpers – and how site plans and work programmes are developed, as well as health, safety, welfare and environmental requirements on site.
McAuliffe has four apprentices on the scheme who currently attend the college’s Wellington Road campus, in Bilston, one day a week and benefit from its industry-standard training facilities, including a construction site equipped with a range of small plant equipment, enabling them to develop their skills in a realistic working environment.
Apprentice Bonnie Hill, aged 18, said: “I’ve always wanted to work in construction, but wasn’t sure what was available to me at 18.
“I was so pleased when I heard about this apprenticeship, because I could start learning all the skills I need straight away. I’m already operating a ride-on roller after getting my ticket this month.”
Michael Dixon, assistant principal at the college, said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with McAuliffe Group to teach their apprentices the skills they need to move straight into jobs in the sector and have successful future careers in the construction industry.”
Get details of the construction plant operative apprenticeship here
This article appeared in the Express & Star apprenticeship supplement on February 9, 2023 – see the supplement here.
