A handpicked cohort of young people from across the region have been given the opportunity to take up an apprenticeship at building and roofing specialist, Hodgson Sayers, the current holder of the apprenticeship category in the North East Business Awards
The company has recently welcomed 10 new starters to its team, bringing a total of 24 apprentices as it continues to expand across a range of divisions.
The Stanley-based company is committed to developing the next generation of its team and to making apprentices 10% of its workforce. The apprentices are not just in traditional building and roofing trades but also within an administration position.
The apprentices, aged between 16 and 21, include one 16-year-old, Callum Riley. Kieren Barkess, Baily Goyns and Jordan Thompson, are all aged 17. They are joined by 18-year-olds, William Condren, Jemma Herring and Liam Kay. The team is completed by 19-year-old, Iain Curson, Steven Start, 20 and David Bilverstone, 21.
Jemma will be studying for a BTEC Level 2 Business Administration qualification through the North East Chamber of Commerce. Four of the apprentices will be completing a three year apprenticeship, learning skills in their designated fields of either slating and tiling and bricklaying at Newcastle College and New College Durham.
A further four will be studying Built-up Felt Roofing at Newcastle College with another apprentice studying Association of Accounting Technicians at New College Durham.
John Sayers, Managing Director at Hodgson Sayers, said: “We were impressed with the eagerness of all ten apprentices to learn and ask questions in the interviews. We also had a number of candidates who applied for our administrative position. Through our relationship with the North East Chamber of Commerce (NECC) we are pleased to offer the BTEC Level 2 Business Administration qualification which we are keen to progress with.
“Each of the apprentices will be assigned a mentor whom they can go to for guidance and support. We have hired all the apprentices at the same time so that they can bond together and share the same learning experience, it is important that they can start off at the same level and share and discuss their journey.
“We take great pride to ensure that our workforce of the future has the necessary skills to be able to take the company forward. Our executive chairman, Billy Hodgson, myself and most of the contracts managers started their careers as apprentices, it is a central plank of our culture, so we have the best skills and expertise to guide the new starters. Winning the apprenticeship category of this year’s North East Business Award was a tremendous accolade for the business and it should also send a very positive message to all our apprentices that they are part of a company that values people development very highly.”
Andrew Robson, Head of Training at NECC, said: “NECC is one of the largest independent training providers in the North East and we believe apprenticeships are a vital way of introducing young people into business.
“As we’ve seen from the region’s leading business people who started their careers as apprentices, if you get the right opportunity, work hard and strive to reach your ultimate potential, you will have a successful career. Good luck to the new recruits at Hodgson Sayers.”