PODP success for Tarmac
Event held to celebrate success of company’s industry-leading Professional Operator Development Programme
TARMAC’s National Skills and Safety Park, located at Nether Langwith Quarry, near Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, has recognized and celebrated the success of apprentices who have completed the company’s industry-leading Professional Operator Development Programme (PODP).
The PODP uses the facility’s training areas to replicate real-life conditions in a controlled environment, combining classroom sessions and on-the-job learning. The operative apprenticeship programme is designed to a regulated apprenticeship standard and equips operatives with the knowledge, skills, and behaviours to become fully skilled operators.
Since 2019, more than 150 Tarmac apprentices have successfully completed the year-long programme, with 34% progressing their careers into supervisory or management positions.
To mark its impact, Tarmac held an event to bring colleagues together, share their achievements, and find out how to make the scheme even better for future cohorts.
On the day, the Dawn Cook Trophy (Apprentice of the Year) was awarded to a colleague who has shown an exceptional attitude each year since the programme was created. The trophy was named in tribute to Dawn, a former Tarmac colleague who passed away earlier this year and had reached 40 years of service at the company.
The ceremony was followed by team-building activities, as well as sessions on hazard perception and applying suitable controls.
Matt Gibbs, senior manager – operational competence at Tarmac’s National Skills and Safety Park, said: ‘We wanted to gather peoples’ thoughts to see how the PODP can be improved. The highlights were that everyone liked the programme and it has given them confidence and self-belief.
‘They got a sense of belonging at the National Skills and Safety Park and were thankful to the team for their support. However, they did say that it can be improved with a higher frequency of site visits and more timely feedback that would be beneficial, so that’s something we can look into.’
There are currently 40 colleagues enrolled on this year’s programme. At the end of July, they were joined by two external individuals for the very first time. Mr Gibbs added: ‘It’s great to have colleagues from Chepstow Plant and Smith & Sons Bletchington on the programme. After a successful Ofsted inspection where we were awarded the outstanding grade, we feel our apprenticeships provide an excellent opportunity for individuals to build a career within the sector.’
Meanwhile, this year’s winner of the Dawn Cook Trophy, Curtis Coulson, revealed how it felt to be recognized and why he thinks the scheme is such a success.
Mr Coulson said: ‘The programme works well. The tutors put in the time and effort with the new starters and are patient – helping with whatever is needed. I didn’t think for one moment that I’d get ‘Apprentice of the Year’, but if you’re willing and put in the hard work, then it’ll be recognized.
‘I’d like to say thank you to everyone at Tarmac National Skills and Safety Park who kept me on track and helped me to meet my deadlines. I’d recommend it to any young person wanting to start a career within Tarmac.’
