Tarmac drive skills agenda in Norfolk

Six new highways apprentices taken on in the county as part of the company’s wider apprenticeship scheme

TARMAC have recruited six new apprentices in Norfolk as part of their ongoing commitment to develop skills and create employment opportunities for local people.

The six apprentices will begin an 18-month programme that will provide them with a combination of vocational education at Tarmac’s national training centre and practical on-site training across Norfolk from experienced technical experts.

Aged between 17 and 24 years old, all of the local new recruits will gain experience of the day-to-day work the company carries out to maintain Norfolk’s 6,000 miles of county roads.

Commenting on the new arrivals, Paul Fleetham, managing director of Tarmac’s Contracting business, said: ‘We are passionate about nurturing new talent and providing high-quality career opportunities in construction both for new and existing employees, so I’m delighted to welcome our new recruits in Norfolk to Tarmac.

‘As part of our ongoing commitment to skills, we hope to inspire local young people into construction and help to deliver a lasting skills legacy in the county. Through our long-term partnership with Norfolk County Council, we are pleased to be investing in both the future of our business and the local community.’

The latest additions to the team follow a 2014 apprentice intake in Norfolk of eight. They are part of a wider apprenticeship programme at Tarmac that has welcomed more than 150 young people from across the UK since 2014.

Two of the new starters, Kaine Bentley and Ben Dunning, both 19, originally came to Tarmac through a work-experience programme organized by The Prince’s Trust and had such an enjoyable time that they each successfully applied for the full-time apprenticeship scheme.

Mr Bentley said: ‘After spending a brilliant two weeks doing work experience for Tarmac, I was really keen to get into construction as a career. We are offered a great balance of technical training and hands-on experience, and my mentor has already been giving lots of support and guidance. I’d definitely recommend this to anyone as a great step into employment.’

Martin Wilby, chairman of Norfolk County Council’s environment, transport and development committee, said: ‘Working for a business and learning on the job while also gaining an industry-recognized qualification provides invaluable career opportunities and is a great way for young people to boost the skills that employers really want.

‘I am very pleased that our long-term contract relationship with Tarmac is providing real opportunities for young people in Norfolk.’

Tarmac are responsible for Norfolk County Council’s ongoing highways maintenance programme and deliver services including surfacing works, bridge and structures maintenance, gully cleansing and grass cutting.