This in from Island Roads, in their own words. Ed
The first Island Roads apprentices have been learning a range of skills including traffic management, emergency response techniques, as well as road building and maintenance methods such as kerbing, minor surfacing and drainage.
The two-year apprenticeships, which involve a mixture of on-the-job training, mentor support and studying at a specialist college, will help them develop their knowledge and experience and pave the way for successful careers in highways engineering and maintenance.
As National Apprenticeship Week (3-7 March) celebrates apprenticeships, 23 year old James Coleman said,
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my first six months working for Island Roads. The range of skills we’re learning makes every day really interesting.
“I particularly like the emergency response work. One minute we’re clearing trees that are blocking the road, the next we’re repairing potholes and defects or clearing up diesel spills. I feel like I’m making a real difference in the local area and am helping people to keep safe and moving on the Island’s roads.
“Even though the recent weather has been a challenge with the hail and wind against me, I am so grateful for the career opportunity Island Roads has provided me with. My practical skills are improving daily and I’m looking forward to a long career in the highway industry.”
Island Roads Service Director Paul Herbert said,
“As an Island company we are pleased to be giving training and employment opportunities to local people through this apprenticeship scheme and I’m delighted with the progress they are all making and of the positive impact they are having on our business.
“We employ over 200 people on the Island and, over the life of the Highways PFI contract, we hope to be able to add to this figure by helping to develop the skills of young people on the Island through schemes such as these and our graduate training programme.”
Councillor Jon Gilbey, Isle of Wight Council cabinet member responsible for the Highways PFI said:
“Access to employment for young people on the Island is critically important and apprenticeship schemes like these which combine the academic training with practical hands on experience often provide the ideal entry into employment.”
16 year old Island Roads’ apprentice Jacob Pelletier added:
“I think Apprenticeships are brilliant and would recommend other young people joining a similar scheme. At 16, this is my first experience of work, I’m getting paid and the skills I’m learning are exactly what I need for a career in engineering.”
The six apprentices taking part in the scheme are Todd Bennett, James Coleman, Ryan Hawker, Scott Beecroft, Jacob Pelletier and Jordon Power.
