PCL Apprentices Off To a Flying Start!

PCL’s drive to recruit and train young people is proving a huge success, with five students firmly on the road to successful careers within manufacturing. As an expanding global supplier of advanced products, PCL’s progress is dependent upon the training and development of its people, particularly the country’s youth.

Its training programmes have scored a hat trick with the ongoing success of three apprentices, and a double whammy with two student employees, who have all impressed bosses at PCL’s Sheffield HQ.

Apprentices Bradley Hill, Joe Taylor and Bradley Butterfield are undertaking an Advanced Engineering Apprenticeship programme, completing various work based modules, supported and mentored by Peter East - a level 3 NVQ Assessor from Brinsworth Academy of Engineering.

Image: PCL Apprentices with Brinsworth Assessor Peter East

Their apprenticeship includes 14 weeks of full time training in practical and theoretical engineering, and further development of their key skills, and incorporates normal work life routines in preparation for a life in engineering. The apprentices will complete an NVQ level 3 Diploma in Mechanical Engineering, usually taking three years, before studying for a BTEC qualification over a further two-year period on day release.

Operations Director Paul Hallam said: “At PCL we believe the development of younger people is key to a sustainable and profitable future. As a leading global manufacturer, engineering skills are vital to PCL, and the level of candidates we have from Brinsworth is excellent.”

Meanwhile, engineering student Elliott Stothard was the first student to be recruited by PCL from Sheffield Hallam University. Elliott completed two years of his degree course and started a gap year with PCL in 2011, and is now returning to university for a year to complete his Masters.

Paul said: “Some of our key engineering staff retired during the period Elliott has been with us, giving him additional experience, and a hands-on approach to both maintaining operations, and developing and improving new and existing processes. He has performed very well and will hopefully continue his career in engineering with PCL after completing his Masters.”

Last but not least, Samantha Birtles, who joined PCL a year ago, is about to complete an NVQ II in Business Administration with Sheffield college.

“Sammy has done a great job and we are pleased that she will be staying with PCL in our customer service department,” said Paul.

He continued: “Sheffield has a wealth of engineering training and expertise. We are proud to be teaming up with Brinsworth Academy of Engineering and both Universities to give young people these excellent career opportunities. We appreciate the excellent training and recruitment support we have received to achieve this.”

PCL is preparing to recruit more engineering students this year.