Latest new apprentice joins Banks Mining

Lewis Coyle digs in to win new plant mechanic apprenticeship at Shotton surface mine

A YOUNG Cramlington man is kicking off his career after becoming Banks Mining’s latest Northumberland apprentice.

Twenty-two-year-old Lewis Coyle was chosen from a considerable number of applicants for the plant mechanic apprenticeship at the company’s Shotton surface coal mine, near Cramlington, which will see him undertake a comprehensive three-year apprenticeship programme combining on-the-job practical training with theoretical classroom-based learning at Northumberland College.

Mr Coyle (pictured) will be working directly with highly experienced Banks employees to learn workplace skills that will be useful to him through his entire working life, as well as alongside the six other apprentices who are currently part-way through their training period with the firm.

Last year, Banks Mining took on two new apprentices at their Thrislington depot in Co. Durham, and the firm is expecting to create further apprenticeship positions in 2018.

Keith Tarn, group human resources manager at The Banks Group, said: ‘Providing this sort of opportunity for talented young people clearly benefits both employers and their new employees, and we’ve seen at first hand the positive impact that apprentices can bring to businesses like ours.

‘We had some very strong candidates for this latest apprenticeship position, with Lewis presenting an impressive combination of personal and practical qualities which made him the stand-out candidate for the role.’