Tarmac is celebrating the graduation of the first cohort of apprentices on its industry-leading education programme.
As part of its commitment to upskilling the next generation, Tarmac has enrolled a further 45 apprentices on to its fully accredited vocational qualification in mobile and static operations through the Professional Operator Development Programme (PODP).
Apprentices enrolled on the programme will cover topics designed to enhance their professional understanding of the industry, equipment and safety such as risk assessment and the correct maintenance of plant and equipment via a series of workshops, e-learning modules and practical on-the-job training.
Graeme Boylen, HR Director at Tarmac, said:
“We have long been at the forefront of apprentice training and instilling in them the confidence and skills necessary to excel within the industry. To further our commitment to industry training we sought to become the first extractives business to offer training and accreditation on our apprenticeships – ensuring we continue to lead the way in championing the work of our people and giving them the support and encouragement to develop and build their careers with us.
“With 45 students already enrolled, we are aiming to take up a further 100 apprentices in 2020 – with a view to making the course mandatory in the coming years for all new starters at Tarmac irrespective of their age.”
Daniel Klein, production supervisor at Tarmac’s Tallington site in Lincolnshire, was among the first cohort of graduates. He commented:
“Tarmac’s Professional Operator Development Programme has given me a much broader understanding of our wider industry, covering important areas from health and safety through to sustainability, and I’ve been supported to learn and develop by everyone around me.
“In my role as production supervisor I am able to influence the values and behaviour of my colleagues, and this training has really helped to improve my confidence, communication and teambuilding skills which I will be able to apply to my day to day activities.”
This is the latest element of Tarmac’s wide range of professional development and training initiatives, aimed at creating a highly skilled workforce to support the delivery of the UK’s infrastructure ambitions.
