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More local apprentices!

Published: 29/02/2016

The first 2 new apprentices have started work on a project in Saltney. The Council has made a commitment to provide at least 200 local labour and 20 apprenticeship opportunities through its Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) programme by 2020. The apprentices, Thomas Miller and Joseph Collin, are working with Mitie who were awarded the contract to upgrade the kitchens and bathrooms in 328 homes. They were both studying plumbing at Coleg Cambria and, now, they are gaining invaluable experience fitting bathrooms and kitchens, working alongside Mitie’s experienced plumbers. Helen Brown, Cabinet Member for Housing, said, “These opportunities have been made possible by collaboration between Flintshire County Council, Coleg Cambria and Procure Plus, who are the framework provider for the project. They come ahead of the Council setting up its own Apprentice Academy which will be launched next month during National Apprentice week. “Supporting these young people shows that the Council is committed to providing opportunity for local apprentices to work on WHQS and other schemes. I am immensely proud to be able to help these young people who are taking their first career steps.” Both apprentices are delighted to be getting such great experience. Joe said, “I was working at McDonalds and I’d applied for dozens of jobs without success, not even getting a reply. I am really pleased that I’ve been given this great opportunity to complete my NVQ.” Tom said, “The toolkit that we have been given from Procure Plus is fantastic and the support given by the team at Procure Plus has been excellent. Matt Jarratt, Procure Plus Senior Operations Manager, said, “First and foremost, Procure Plus is a regeneration company interested in creating job opportunities for our landlord communities. We are delighted to be working with Flintshire County Council and Cambria Coleg as they share our values and are committed to employing local people.” Craig Boath, Director at Mitie Property Management’s Northern Housing business, said: “We’re committed to creating opportunities across our business and recognise the benefit in working closely with local community groups and councils such as Flintshire County Council, Coleg Cambria and Procure Plus in support of schemes such as the WHQS project. “We’re also proud to be one of the UK’s largest employers of apprentices and aim to keep this momentum going for many years to come”.