Largest-ever apprentice and graduate intake at Tarmac

Company welcomes 126 apprentices, higher apprentices and graduates to the business

TARMAC have welcomed nearly 130 apprentices and graduates to the business, as they strive to upskill and grow talent within the construction industry.

The cohort consists of 126 early careers roles – the business’ largest-ever intake, including apprentices, higher apprentices, and graduates – stretching the length and breadth of the UK, from Dunbar in Scotland to Southwick in Brighton.

The apprentice and higher apprentice courses typically last two to four years and cover areas such as engineering, finance, human resources, sales, operations, quantity surveying, and logistics. Higher apprenticeships provide an opportunity to gain Level 4 qualifications or above, with most apprentices gaining an NVQ Level 4, HND, or foundation degree.

Graduates will enrol on to a course lasting two years, covering seven modules including finance, project and change management, communication, and future development.

Following successful completion, the experience and expertise gained will enable the apprentices and graduates to transition into a variety of roles across the company.

Zara Driver, a higher apprentice based at Tarmac’s office in Solihull, said: ‘I went for a data analyst higher apprentice role as I felt being older than your typical student, the university route just wasn’t for me. As an apprentice at Tarmac, you’re able to learn and develop skills whilst working, which is a win, win for me. There is heaps of support from management and the overall business is really flexible with where you want to go in your career.’

Laurie Ross-Fenty, a mechanical engineer graduate at Tarmac’s cement and lime plant in Dunbar, Scotland, said: ‘I enjoy being hands-on and dealing with new challenges, and I didn’t really want a typical office job. The role here at Tarmac is perfect for me as every day presents a new opportunity – I can be in a meeting room one day and a cement mill the next.’

Graeme Boylen, HR director at Tarmac, said: ‘We’re so pleased to welcome the new 2022 cohort. The apprentices and graduates we employ here at Tarmac are from all walks of life – some straight from school, with others undertaking a complete career change later in life.

‘The beauty of an apprentice or graduate role at Tarmac is that we provide guidance and support through each person’s journey. The opportunities available to them are almost limitless and for some these could eventually be global in nature, given that we are part of CRH, the world’s leading building materials business.’