Member Article

Civil engineering firm’s first careers drop-in day draws youngsters from across Wales

A firm’s inaugural careers’ open day drew dozens of visitors from across Wales.

And now Jones Bros Civil Engineering has 20 additional prospective apprentices and trainee engineers on its books.

Attendees at the drop-in day, at the firm’s Ruthin headquarters, ranged in age from 15 to 25 years.

They travelled from as far as Glynneath and Machynlleth, as well as Bala, Denbigh and Ruthin itself.

Some registered interest in the firm’s general construction and plant operator apprenticeship programmes.

Others registered for the engineering training scheme, while undergraduates in associated subjects such as mathematics and quantity surveying signed up for summer and industrial placements.

With a workforce of 350, more than 95 per cent of whom live in North Wales, the firm is building wind farms, highways, infrastructure and waste management projects across the UK.

It organised the drop-in event at its head office after it started to struggle to attract applications at a sufficient rate to fill its expanding apprentice and trainee engineer programmes. The firm has identified that future growth may be slowed by a lack of trainees rather than insufficient new work.

Visitors quizzed some of Jones Bros’ regional and project managers and head office team about the career paths available in civil engineering and construction.

Managing director John Dielhof said: “Lots of people join us from school or college. Some have qualified outside the company and some start as plant operators and change direction to become project managers. Some of our most senior engineers and project managers started here as apprentices.

“Some visitors were surprised how big the company has become. They hadn’t realised how many career opportunities were on their doorstep. They said they liked the idea of earning a salary while they learn, and that we take apprentices on as full-time employees, once they’ve qualified.

“Just by attending, these young people have shown initiative, which is a quality Jones Bros regards highly. They’ll go through the usual selection process, and there is a real possibility that some of these youngsters may be joining our payroll soon.”

An award-winning provider of training and apprenticeships, Jones Bros currently has 27 apprentices on its two training programmes.

Founded in the 1950s, the family firm has grown significantly in the last decade. Its areas of expertise include the construction of waste management facilities, highways, flood and marine defence and renewable energy projects.

To find out more visit www.jones-bros.com, or like its Facebook page by searching for “Jones Bros Careers.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sam Harris .