The apprentices – you’re hired

Six Winchmore Brickworks’ bricklayers-in-training (four shown here) are studying at Hertford Regional College one day a week and are just putting the finishing touches to a new motor vehicle and engineering workshop at the Turnford campus as part of a three-year apprenticeship scheme and are quite literally building the college they are attending.

Winchmore Brickworks, through the passion of its MD Tony Yianni, encourages investment in the building industry’s future. They have already guided 10 young builders through their bricklaying apprenticeships in the last five years by providing an opportunity for their apprentices to attend Hertford Regional College; which is one of the biggest providers of vocational skills courses in the county, with 430 apprentices.  Campbell Weir, Head of  Construction, Engineering and Technology department said: “These lads are quite literally learning on the Job. They spend one morning each week learning construction theory before putting it all into practice by building some fantastic new facilities for the college.”

Jeff Wren, partnership director for the Learning and Skills Council Hertfordshire, said: “Hertfordshire is a booming county and there are some great opportunities for businesses to grow and prosper but employers need access to a skilled workforce.

Apprenticeships enable employers to ensure the training their employees receive is relevant and will make a real contribution to the company.”  For more information about apprenticeships visit  www.apprenticeships.co.uk