As Scotland prepares to celebrate Scottish Apprenticeship Week (1-5 March), Tarmac has announced it is offering two apprenticeships at its Dunbar cement works in 2021.
The company, which has operated Dunbar Works for more than 50 years, is inviting two production apprentices to join its team of 140, starting in August.
This year’s Scottish Apprenticeship Week looks to celebrate the benefits apprenticeships bring to businesses, individuals and the economy. ‘This year’s theme is Business Backing Talent, to showcase the great things that happen when employers back talent through apprenticeships.’ (www.apprenticeships.scot/scottish-apprenticeship-week/)
Two of Tarmac Dunbar’s current apprentices offer their views on the apprenticeship schemes and explain why they would recommend them.
Electrical engineering apprentice, Tyrhys Twist (18) started his apprenticeship in August 2019. In his first year he was based four days a week at Edinburgh College (some of that time working from home due to Covid-19 restrictions) and one day a week at the cement works. Now in his second year he spends four days on site and one day college based (currently virtual learning). When he finishes his course in 2023, he aims to achieve a HNC in electrical engineering.
“I would definitely recommend the apprenticeship here,” he says. “The company likes to help with supporting local people in training and employment and, in my view, couldn’t be any better.
“I have been able to experience all different types of electrical engineering including computer work. The team is very helpful, and nobody pushes me too hard, just enough to ensure I do as well as I can!”
Second-year mechanical apprentice Aaron Chisholm (18) developed an interest in Tarmac through his father, Barry, who has worked for the company since he started himself as an apprentice in 1990. Aaron gained an insight into the world of cement-making through moving with his father’s job around the world including Australia, England and Scotland. He began his apprenticeship in July 2019, aged 16, straight from school.
He comments: “I would advise anyone considering a Tarmac apprenticeship to go for it. It is a lot of hard work but it’s very rewarding and the company is great to work for. Through the training I am getting, I am developing technical and personal skills and post-Covid-19 restrictions there will be even more opportunities for me. And having seen my dad work his way up from apprentice, I am optimistic about future opportunities.”
Aaron is aiming for an HNC in Mechanical engineering when he finishes his four-year apprenticeship in 2023.
Chris Bradbury, Dunbar Plant manager, who himself began his career as an apprentice, adds: “We are delighted to be able to continue to offer these opportunities at Dunbar this year. Our apprentices have personalised training and clear development, tailored to their strengths and ambitions. We look forward to receiving applicants for this year’s intake.”
Each apprenticeship will last four years with most recruits starting with a year of vocational training at college. Years 2-4 are mainly based at the Dunbar site, with one day per week spent in college.
And for those applying for a Tarmac apprenticeship, they are looking not only at a comprehensive four-year scheme but also beyond to the potential of an ongoing career with the company.
For more information about the Dunbar apprenticeships, please go to https://tarmaccareers.com/
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 https://tarmaccareers.com/
104753 – Scottish Apprenticeship Week – Second year apprentices at Tarmac’s Dunbar cement works help launch the 2021 apprenticeships: Tyrhys Twist (left) and Aaron Chisholm (right)