As we kick off National Apprenticeship Week 2021, where the theme is “Build the Future”, Keltbray’s Executive Chairman reflects on why apprenticeships continue to be an important part of our industry.
“Keltbray is delighted to be marking National Apprenticeship Week as it provides an excellent opportunity for us to celebrate our apprentices, and showcase the contribution they have made to our business despite the challenges of the last 12 months.
Apprenticeships provide a critical route in to the workforce where it’s possible to learn as you earn, and open individuals up to new and challenging opportunities. At the very core of our business is the belief that anyone, with the correct attitude and willingness to learn should be given the opportunity to fulfil their potential, be that at entry or management level. I am extremely proud of our apprentices past and present, and they represent Keltbray’s commitment to train the next generation.
As a former apprentice myself, I believe that now more than ever, we must continue to deliver apprenticeships not only as a business but collectively as an industry. I’m really proud that since 2015 we have had 176 apprentices, and in 2020 all of our apprentices were 100% focussed on upskilling. A great many of our apprentices have come to us through our Community Engagement programmes, and I’m pleased to say that we have long standing partnerships with a number of charities and not-for-profit organisations, to get significantly disadvantaged people into meaningful work and training.
Continuing to deliver apprenticeships is paramount to ensuring we have a skilled sustainable workforce and to identify the construction and engineering stars of the future, as well as contributing to the overall industry skills gap. It’s also vital for us to attract the next generation of talent into the energy and rail sectors, ensuring that we have the skills required to deliver the pipeline of essential works needed to help Britain build back better.”
Brendan Kerr,
Executive Chairman
