Member Article

Record recruitment of apprentices for leading civil engineering firm

Award-winning civil engineer Jones Bros has recruited almost 60 apprentices in the past two years – a record for the growing family firm.

Apprentices from across the UK have been employed by Jones Bros – all getting the opportunity to gain valuable experience on a range of prestigious, multi-million pound projects.

The Ruthin-based company is also celebrating a higher than national average retention rate with more than 90 per cent of trainees completing their full apprenticeship framework and 81 per cent remaining with Jones Bros after completing their training.

It is now preparing to recruit another 36 apprentices, for its award-winning plant operator and general construction operative programmes, plus a newly-introduced apprenticeship in plant and machinery maintenance.

Training manager Richard Owen believes that the popularity of the company’s training scheme is down to more young people realising the value of a good quality apprenticeship.

He said: “Our apprentices come from a range of industries including retail, production and manufacturing, and farming, while others were unemployed. We believe that they are joining us because they foresee a long-term career with the company when they complete their apprenticeship programme.

“Some would have earned a little more than they will do during their first phase of training at Jones Bros. But they still join us, because they realise the benefits of a recognised qualification, terrific experience on major projects and the learning of life skills.”

As well as being recruited from areas of North Wales close to Jones Bros’ Ruthin head office, apprentices have also been taken on from areas the firm is working in including Scotland, South Wales and Yorkshire.

Apprentices earn a wage from the outset as employees of Jones Bros. Plant operator apprentices learn how to use heavy construction machinery, such as forward tipping dumpers, dump trucks, excavators and bulldozers.

The general construction operative apprentices develop a variety of skills for the construction industry, including drainage installation and putting civil engineering technology into practice.

Six of the recruits will join the new plant and machinery maintenance apprenticeship. They will learn about hydraulics and electrical systems, and work on heavy earth-moving equipment and agricultural machinery.

Applicants must be aged 18-24 and have an interest in construction or civil engineering, a full UK driving licence, be prepared to work away from home, and have an enthusiastic attitude toward learning new skills.

They spend their first weeks at Jones Bros’ approved training centre, in Ruthin, before putting their new skills into practice on construction sites across the UK.

Managing director John Dielhof: “We’ve invested heavily in our apprenticeship programme in recent years. This has been in an effort to bring through a committed and highly skilled workforce, which is crucial to our plans for future growth.”

Jones Bros’ training department was shortlisted in the Outstanding Training Partner category in the Construction Industry Training Board’s (CITB) 2015 Pride of Construction awards, having won the prize the previous year.

Founded in the 1950s and employing approximately 350 people, Jones Bros has grown significantly in the last decade. It is currently working on contracts in various sectors including the construction of waste management facilities, highways, flood and marine defence and renewable energy projects around the UK.

To find out more about the roles and to apply, visit the Jones Bros Civil Engineering careers page.

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