As the UK celebrates the 13th National Apprenticeship Week (3-7 February), Tarmac’s apprentices past and present reflect on their own experiences and reveal the company is launching eight new apprenticeships at the company’s Tunstead site near Buxton.
There are three operations at the site, covering cement and lime manufacture and stone quarrying. This year Tarmac is offering eight new apprenticeships, starting in September – six electrical and two mechanical positions.
The theme of the 2020 National Apprenticeship Week is ‘Look Beyond’. In particular, it calls on young people to look beyond traditional routes into employment and explore the diversity of career options and industries now available to them through apprenticeships.
Matthew Pattison and Cole Johnston, who started their apprenticeships with Tarmac at Tunstead in 2019, are keen to promote this message.
Matthew,16, studied for his GCSEs at Buxton Community School. Through knowing people who worked at the Tunstead site, he knew his goal was to secure an apprenticeship there.
“The application process was very slick, and the company gave you very good feedback on your interview,” he says. “I had applied for a ‘back-up’ apprenticeship, but I knew this was the one I wanted and was delighted when I heard I had got a place!
“I am only a few months into my apprenticeship, but I can already say it’s a brilliant company and I am heading for really good qualifications in four years’ time. I would highly recommend anyone to apply for the 2020 opportunities. You won’t regret it!”
Despite the Tunstead site being 17 miles away from his home in Hadfield, 18-year-old Cole Johnston set his sights on the Tarmac apprenticeship last year. Working with his Dad in an insulation business at the weekends had given him a taste for practical hands-on jobs.
He says: “To start with I knew I was going to have to get trains, lifts and taxis to get here from home, but this was by far the best apprenticeship on offer. Now I have passed my driving test it’s a bit easier to get here!
“The apprenticeship is going really well and although we start with a college-based focus, we have already had the opportunity to visit and get to know many areas of the Tunstead operation and even visited Tarmac’s sister sites at Hindlow and Ballidon.”
And for those applying for a Tarmac apprenticeship, they are looking not only at a comprehensive 4-year scheme, but also beyond to the potential of an ongoing career with the company. Luke Lindley and Jake Bowers (both 20) have done just that. They completed their apprenticeships in the summer of 2019 and are now in permanent jobs.
Jake says: “Working for Tarmac at Tunstead is more of a career than ‘just a job’. I am a full-time mechanical craftsman on the cement plant team now, but from the start of my apprenticeship I have been given loads of opportunities.
“Also, for me, going to University after school and relying on student loans didn’t appeal. I wanted to have more financial independence and the apprenticeship leading into a job have given me that.”
Luke, from Earl Sterndale, now works in an electrical role in the lime and powders side of the Tunstead operation. He explains the different pathways an apprenticeship can open up: “I really appreciated being paid to learn and getting a good wage from the age of 16. And as well as leading into a permanent role, the apprenticeship opens up new opportunities. For instance, I am now working towards an HND qualification, and may then go on to a degree – all with the company’s ongoing support.”
Tarmac has a long and successful history of offering apprenticeships at its various sites across the country. For Bryan Peach and Andrew Scowen, their apprenticeships have gone on to long and successful careers with the company. Between them they have marked 67 years’ service and are now involved in recruiting new apprentices.
“Whilst the apprenticeship format has changed over the years, the basic principles and company support remain the same,” says Andrew. “After I completed my apprenticeship my first full-time role was as an electrician on the original cement plant. Years later when the new cement plant was built in 2004, I was the electrical manager and now I work as power systems manager in the site services team. I enjoy recruiting and supporting the new apprentices – we have ‘been there’ can give our applicants a view of a long-term career at Tunstead.”
Bryan brings his 34 years’ experience to the process of recruiting mechanical apprentices. He says: “As we have been through the apprenticeship process ourselves (albeit many years ago!), we can see it from the point of view of the potential new apprentices. We are keen to ensure as many people as possible hear about the opportunities we offer, and to make the application process as smooth as possible.”
Tarmac’s engineering services manager, Reg Gartside, who manages the apprenticeship recruitment programme, concludes: “We celebrate the successes of our current and past apprentices and hope these personal stories really bring to life the value of our apprenticeships. We are calling on parents, teachers and potential applicants to listen to them and understand the true value our apprenticeships offer now and for the future.
“We are delighted to be able to continue to offer these apprenticeships at Tunstead this year. Our apprentices have personalised training and clear development that’s tailored to their strengths and ambitions. We look forward to receiving applicants for this year’s intake.”
Each apprenticeship will last four years with all recruits undertaking a year of vocational training at Chesterfield College, as well as receiving expert technical on-site training in their chosen discipline.
For more information about the Tunstead apprenticeships, call Marion Markham on 01298 768267.
Tarmac is a member of the 5% Club, a movement of employers providing ‘earn and learn’ opportunities to develop the skills and talents people need to become more employable and create meaningful careers. For more information please visit www.tarmaccareers.com.
Picture caption: Left to right – Tarmac Tunstead apprentices past and present – Matthew Pattison, Cole Johnston, Jake Bowers, Luke Lindley, Bryan Peach and Andrew Scowen.