Apprentices Set Out on the Road to Success

THE road to the future is most certainly paved with the highest of aspirations as Tameside Council’s latest group of engineering services apprentices – eight mason paviours and three civil engineers – set their sights on a successful local authority career.

All 10 say that what attracted them to joining Tameside was the excellent on-the-job training they could expect, and the possibility of working their way up to supervisor or assistant engineer.

Among the paviours, Evan Gorton said he was impressed by the progression route. Others were drawn not only by the prospect of a stable job with a stable income, but also the quality of training and provision of protective equipment.

All were keen to work outdoors as part of a highly-motivated team.

Comments from the apprentice civil engineers included Obie Norry: “So far I’ve most enjoyed seeing what happens behind the scenes and how much planning and effort goes into each scheme.”

Jacob Sallabank: “I like what Tameside Council stands for in that they care about their community and want to make a change. It’s nice to see those changes come to life and how they benefit everyone and improve living standards.”

Henry Catherall: “Engineering has always interested me. When I heard about the apprenticeship I had to apply because it was the perfect opportunity.”

The five first-year mason paviours and two second-years, whose ages range from 16 to 25, are about to start a level two qualification in highway maintenance, covering health and safety, paving, kerbing, tarmacing.

Three new civil engineers, all teenagers, will be taking on a range of duties across their three-year apprenticeship, including highway design and maintenance, and street lighting.

Cllr Stephen Homer, Tameside Council’s executive member for Towns, Transport and Connectivity, said: “I’m delighted and proud that such highly-motivated and enthusiastic young people see Tameside Council as the right employer to train them and offer them a chance to advance their careers.

“I can assure them they will be well looked-after and given every chance to progress. I wish them the very best of luck for the future and I’m sure they will do well and become a real asset to the authority.”

Apprentice Mason Paviours

First-years: James Chadwick, 16, Manchester; Evan Gorton, 16, Stalybridge; Ayden Hughes, 21, Stockport; Cole Rodgers, 17, Hyde;  Cameron Theaker, 19, Dukinfield.

Second-years: Cameron Jones, 25, Hyde; Charlie Moorby – 21, Dukinfield.

Apprentice Civil Engineers

Henry Catherall, 16, Stalybridge; Obie Norry, 16, Dukinfield; Jacob Sallabank, 18, Hollingworth.