Hills celebrate progress of MPO apprentice

UK quarrying industry’s first mobile and static plant operator apprentice doing well at Shorncote Quarry

AS part of National Apprenticeship Week [5–9 March 2018] and to highlight the career opportunities available for apprentices in the quarrying industry, Hills Quarry Products are celebrating the progress being made by Aidan Jeffreys.

Last year the former Wiltshire student became the UK quarrying industry’s first mobile and static plant operator (MPO) apprentice and is now based at the company’s Shorncote Quarry, near Cirencester.

Mr Jeffreys (pictured) is due to complete his studies in December this year with Level 2 Diplomas in both Plant and Processing Operations.

Peter Andrew, group director at Hills Quarry Products, said: ‘We are delighted to have Aidan on board; he has settled in extremely well and has shown a real flair for the tasks he has been set and is coping well with the pressures of learning whilst training.’

Mr Jeffreys spends the majority of his working week undertaking practical-based learning, which includes operating mobile and static plant, and the remainder of his time is spent with external trainers and mentors learning the more theoretical requirements for the role.

Mr Andrew continued: ‘This is a real achievement for Hills and the quarrying industry. Hopefully this will set a benchmark and Aidan will be the first of many to join Hills as an apprentice.’

Anyone interested in pursuing an apprenticeship should contact The Hills Group via email: [email protected]