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Hillcrest Enterprises News
Hillcrest Provides New Apprenticeship Opportunities for Young People in Dundee
8 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 8 apprentices join 8 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 that “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.”
Ross McIntosh, apprentice joiner commented that “My apprenticeship is going really well. Working on building sites is giving me great experience that I wouldn’t have got if I’d gone to college. Being able to get this experience at the same time as working towards my qualification will hopefully help me to get a full time job at the end of it.”
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. This creates benefits for both the apprentice and the employer. The model also affords greater flexibility with the partner contractor as to when they spend time on site to suit workload demands. 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 it. They are gaining invaluable experience that will hold them in good stead with future employees.”
Hillcrest is currently seeking to expand and consolidate their training model in Tayside in conjunction with other local RSLs and partner clients and contractors. Hillcrest also provides the same training model in Edinburgh through it’s training centre based at Bilston Glen where a further 8 joiner apprentices are currently being trained.
8 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 8 apprentices join 8 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 that “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.”
Ross McIntosh, apprentice joiner commented that “My apprenticeship is going really well. Working on building sites is giving me great experience that I wouldn’t have got if I’d gone to college. Being able to get this experience at the same time as working towards my qualification will hopefully help me to get a full time job at the end of it.”
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. This creates benefits for both the apprentice and the employer. The model also affords greater flexibility with the partner contractor as to when they spend time on site to suit workload demands. 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 it. They are gaining invaluable experience that will hold them in good stead with future employees.”
Hillcrest is currently seeking to expand and consolidate their training model in Tayside in conjunction with other local RSLs and partner clients and contractors. Hillcrest also provides the same training model in Edinburgh through it’s training centre based at Bilston Glen where a further 8 joiner apprentices are currently being trained.