The Minister for Skills and Science, Julie James has congratulated a company for reaching a milestone number of apprentices.
This was published under the 2016 to 2021 administration of the Welsh Government
Costain and its supply chain partners working for the Welsh Government on the A465 Heads of the Valleys Dualling project pledged to make 60 apprenticeships available through the construction of the project – and have already offered more than 50 opportunities to young people in South Wales.
The roles to date have been a combination of technical professional apprentices such as engineering, quantity surveying, as well as accounting, groundwork, managerial and administrative roles.
The team supports and develops its apprentices via a structured programme of training and experience, and their approach is yielding some very tangible results.
One of their team, Joshua Short, has won the Institution of Civil Engineers’ Apprentice of the Year award for 2016.
Additionally one of their groundworker apprentices, Rhys Donovan has been shortlisted for a Welsh Government Award as Apprentice of the Year and CITB Apprentice of the Year at their National Awards, which will be held in London later this month.
The apprenticeship framework is supported by local colleges; Coleg Gwent, Coleg y Cymoedd, Neath Port Talbot College and Bridgend College.
A number of the engineering, quantity surveying and groundworker apprenticeships have been delivered by CITB whilst the others have been work based learning and have been reviewed quarterly by learning providers.
Minister for Skills and Science, Julie James said:
“Maximising the community benefits from our large projects is a key priority for the Welsh Government in ensuring a sustainable legacy for Wales. Costain and its supply partners show what can be achieved when forward thinking companies understand the benefits of apprenticeship programmes, and support the development of the young people they engage.
“Apprenticeships can help tackle skills shortages, deliver skills designed around business needs, and help develop specialist skills needed to keep pace with the latest technology and working practices.”