Aggregate Industries launch new apprenticeship scheme

07 December, 2023

Callum King has just completed his first year of a Higher Apprenticeship within Aggregate Industries’ Concrete Products division, based at Croft, in Leicester

Company launches drive to recruit 74 apprenticeship positions across the business in 2024

AGGREGATE Industries have launched their 2024 apprenticeship scheme. The Coalville-based company which has 200+ sites across the country is seeking to recruit to 74 positions this year, building towards around 200 active roles across the business.

Apprenticeships allow people in the early part of their career to earn while they learn and provide the opportunity to gain qualifications alongside practical experience within a business.

Two types of qualification will be offered. Higher Apprenticeships, which require A-levels or the equivalent of 80 UCAS points, and Advanced Apprenticeships (Level 3) which require five GCSEs.

The company works with education partners including the University of Derby, UCLAN, Liverpool John Moores University, Tiro, Mercuri, and Make UK in the delivery.

A variety of apprenticeships will be offered in the following specialisms:

Electrical Engineering
Heavy Vehicle
Higher Apprenticeship
Materials Lab Technician
Mechanical Engineering.

New opportunities are also being offered as part of the 2024 scheme, including:

Project Management
Contract writing (Bids and Proposals)
Quantity Surveyor.

James Roberts, HR director for Aggregate Industries, said: ‘We are delighted to be offering a broad range of apprenticeships again this year. There is a real need to attract the next generation of young people to become the future colleagues and leaders of Aggregate Industries.

‘Across the construction industry as a whole, we recognize that there is an ageing workforce and there remains huge demand to fill roles across all specialisms.

‘The great advantage of an apprenticeship is it offers a fantastic opportunity to those seeking out a career to learn essential skills through first-hand on-the-ground experience, alongside studying for and gaining a qualification – all while earning.

‘We have a clear drive to continue to evolve and lead the way in decarbonizing the construction industry through accelerating green growth and having more sustainable operations. We know this is something that is important to many young people, especially when it comes to something as important as a career choice.

‘I’m really looking forward to welcoming the next generation of our workforce during 2024.’

Callum King (19) has just completed his first year of a Higher Apprenticeship within the Concrete Products division of the business and is based at Croft, in Leicester. He said: ‘After finishing my A-Levels I felt as though I wanted to start working and gaining valuable experience in a real job role, however I also wanted to continue studying and gain a qualification. Doing an apprenticeship has allowed me to do this, it also taught me valuable skills such as time management. In my first year I learnt a lot about the industry but also about the role I am in.

‘For me, the best thing about doing an apprenticeship is the ability to learn on site and take it back to the classroom, learning valuable skills whilst actually using them is very rewarding. Doing an apprenticeship was the best decision I made. The advice I would give is to consider how you learn best. If you learn something by doing it, an apprenticeship is a great opportunity.’

Harry Folwell (19) from Coalville, Leicestershire, is undertaking an advanced apprenticeship in Commercial and Sales with the Surfacing Solutions division of the business. He said: ‘I was doing my A-Levels and had no idea what it was I wanted to do. All I knew was that university wasn’t for me, so I just thought I’d get my A-Levels done and look for a job. I was looking around and fortunately my friend had just done his first year as an apprentice at Aggregate Industries and told me I should take a look at what was on offer and I ended up following in his footsteps.

‘For me the big benefit is that you are being paid to essentially learn. There’s a lot to learn about the business and the world of work but what is good is that any support or training you need is there for you and they take you step by step. You really feel like you are learning a trade and getting to know how a big business works.

‘Obviously, it all depends on the person, but if you are not sure that you want to go to university, then you should seriously consider an apprenticeship. Just go for it, you have nothing to lose. You’re being taught and being paid.’

Katie Eyre is a Mechanical Engineering Apprentice at Cauldon Cement Plant in Staffordshire. She said: ‘I chose the apprenticeship route as you get to gain experience alongside the theoretical side. The best thing is the hands-on side. You get to learn from experienced people on the job who have a varied range of skill sets.

‘Aggregate Industries are really welcoming, and you are helped all along the way. It’s a great place to learn and I would recommend it to anyone.’

The apprenticeship opportunities are now live, and applications are being accepted. Virtual candidate assessments will take place after which successful candidates will be invited to on-site assessment days in the Spring. For more information about the opportunities with Aggregate Industries, visit the company’s Careers webpages.