Back
A Connolly Ltd works with Procure Plus to Invest in Future Workforce through Apprenticeship Programme
Wigan-based contractor A Connolly Ltd has taken on a new intake of apprentices in partnership with Procure Plus.
The family business, which has built a solid reputation within the social housing sector over the past 35 years, has a history of investing in communities, from work experience placements and mentoring schemes to creating legacy projects with residents.
It has taken on 12 new apprentices this year who will train in a variety of trades and work on projects across the North West and North Wales, while attending a local college one day a week.
Multi-trades apprentices Joseph Power, 26, and Shane Ribbens, 18, both from Skelmersdale, will be working on internal refurbishment schemes for West Lancashire County Council.
Apprentice roofer, Kieran Stevenson, 25, from Saughall in Chester, multi-trade apprentices Leon O’Gorman, 17, from Mold, Reece Schyma, 20, from Buckley, Steffan Owen, 18, from Flint and 25-year-old Alleisha Carey from Shotton, a multi-trades apprentice specialising in joinery, will be working in the Flintshire area on projects including planned external refurbishment works.
Hassan Raza, Jack Thompson and Connor Halford, all from Bury, will be working in the local area on kitchen and bathroom installations. Hassan, 19, is an apprentice plasterer while Jack and Connor, both 18, are apprentice joiners.
Painting and decorating apprentices Jaden Legge, 19, from Irlam, Eccles, and John Kitoko, 17, from Higher Broughton, will be working in the Salford area on Salix Homes’ refurbishment projects.
They have been taken on through Build Salford, a traineeship programme which seeks to help 16-24-year-olds to get a career in construction. It is supported by 17 housing and construction organisations from across the region and coordinated by Salford City College.
Kerry Whittle, business development leader at A Connolly, said: “The construction sector is facing an unprecedented skills shortage with an ageing workforce and not enough skilled young people coming into the industry – a situation which looks set to be further exacerbated by Brexit.
“It has never been more important to invest in the future workforce and Connolly is proud to continue its tradition of training and employing young people from the areas in which it is working.”
Mark Wilson, regeneration manager at Procure Plus added: “Connolly’s commitment to employing local people helps our communities prosper and this re-investment is very important. We have worked with Connolly for many years and we know that apprentices at Connolly will be trained and developed to the highest standard.”