Local apprentices start work at Bradley surface mine

Five locals take their first steps on the career ladders as plant operator apprentices

FIVE local lads from the Consett area of Co. Durham have taken their first steps on to the career ladder after being chosen by Banks Mining for plant operator apprenticeships at their Bradley surface mine.

Graeme Buckley, Liam Smith, Graeme Stott, Damon Henderson and Tommy Mayman have all started 12-month training programmes at the site, which sits off the A692 between Leadgate and Dipton in Co. Durham.

The five new recruits, who all live in and around Consett, are now receiving direct training and mentoring from experienced members of the Banks Mining team and will work across a number of different roles during their apprenticeships to develop a range of workplace skills and experience of operating earthmoving plant.

Forty-one jobs are now being directly supported at the Bradley site, alongside others in the local supply chain, and Banks’ next wave of apprentices are set to start in their new roles with the Durham-headquartered firm in the near future.

More than half of those working at Bradley live within five miles of the site, with almost all living within a 15-mile radius.

Bradley surface mine manager Jamie Drysdale said: ‘We committed to creating job opportunities for local people as part of the development of the Bradley site, and our five new apprentices are the latest of many recruits that we’ve been able to add to our highly skilled and growing workforce from the communities around the site.

‘Providing opportunities for local people to develop practical workplace skills is an essential undertaking for both long-standing North East businesses like ourselves and for the sustainable success of the wider regional economy.

‘Banks Mining have been providing people in the North East with the chance to build long-term careers and support their families through our mining operations for more than four decades, and we’re looking forward to seeing the two Graemes, Liam, Damon and Tommy develop in their new roles.’