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Construction Plant Maintenance Apprentices celebrate success

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Reaseheath’s Advanced Apprentices in Construction Plant Maintenance received their final awards at a presentation on campus yesterday (Thursday)

Nearly 50 apprentices from all over the country were joined by their employers to celebrate the completion of their Level 3 qualification. The apprentices work as construction plant technicians for leading companies including A-Plant, Scot JCB, Greenshields JCB, Watlings JCB, Banner Plant, Barry Wood Plant Hire, The GAP Group, Pickerings Plant and Clee Hill Plant.

They were congratulated by Programme Leader Simon Keen, who told his audience that the group had a phenominal work ethic and were a credit to their employers. He was sure that they would continue to serve their companies well and would provide the next generation of highly skilled engineers.

Simon also emphasised that he was delighted at the continued support from employers both for the course and for their apprentices.

Special awards went to outstanding apprentices:

  • Reaseheath Apprentice of the Year: Joe Bowers from Barry Wood Plant Hire (presented by Simon Keen)
  • Best A-Plant Apprentice: Daniel Pritchard  (presented by Bob Harper, Head of Customer Solutions A-Plant)
  • Top JCB Apprentice: Chris Elvin of Watlings JCB  (presented by Richard Hough, JCB Training Manager)
  • Dean ‘Dumper’ Mason Award for Best Practical Student: John Barber from Scot JCB (presented by Alun Mason)
  • Banner Plant Award for Endeavour: Alan Cage (A-Plant)

Peers awards (student vote)

  • The Apprentices’ Apprentice: Jake Ridly (A-Plant)

Runners-up: John Barber (Scot JCB); Chris Elvin (Watlings JCB); Brett Parkes (A-Plant)

  • Top Practical Apprentice Oliver Bushnell (Greenshield JCB)
  • The Future High Flyer Award Chris Elvin (Watling JCB)
  • Most Improved Apprentice Brett Parkes (A-Plant)

 

 

Talented George is Apprentice of the Month

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Talented Crewe Alexandra FC forward George Cooper has been selected as apprentice of the month in a national competition ‘The 11’ run by the League Football Education (LFE).

The first team player was chosen over entrants from clubs nationwide for the outstanding progress he made in both his sport and academic studies while he has been an apprentice at the famous Crewe Alex Football Academy.

George, 18, will be one of 11 football apprentices to go head to head in a national final at the end of the season. He was put forward for the competition after impressing Reaseheath College Lecturer in Sports Performance Lauren Goff, Head of Education at Crewe Alex Dave Whiteside and Regional Officer for the LFE Keith Leighton.

George, who lives in Warrington, was offered a three year professional contract by Crewe Alex last April and has played and scored in several League One matches.  As well as continuing his football training with the club, he is a student at Reaseheath College in Nantwich, where he and fellow Academy members study sports science related topics which will be useful for their later careers.

A former pupil at St Gregory’s Catholic High School, Warrington, George is due to finish his studies in May and is on track to complete his Level 3 Diploma in Sport Performance and Excellence qualification as well as Functional Skills at Level 2 in Maths and English.

Course manager Lauren explained: “We put George forward because he has worked hard at his academic studies. He has also shown maturity by the way he has coped with the demands of continuing his education alongside his blossoming career as a professional footballer. He will be an asset in any sporting career.”

George said: “I was surprised and very pleased to be put forward for this award. Although I enjoy playing football, being a member of the Academy and coming to college has given me the chance to study subjects like nutrition and coaching. This will help widen my career choices after I’ve retired from professional playing.”

Reaseheath and Crewe Alexandra FC have worked together for some years to deliver the academic programme for the Football Academy. Reaseheath is now launching a Ladies Football Academy in partnership with Crewe Alex to give talented young female footballers the chance to enhance their football skills while studying for a nationally recognised sport qualification. Applications being taken now. For further details email kate.humphrey@reaseheath.ac.uk

 

Apprentice helps to grow dog grooming business

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A Cheshire dog grooming parlour is successfully using the government’s apprenticeship programme to develop its workforce.

Angela Mayers, owner  of The Groom Room in Saltney, has seen her  well established business thrive since employing 19 year-old  Bethan Roberts.  Bethan , a former Level 3 Diploma in Animal Management student at  Reaseheath College, Nantwich, joined The Groom Room for work experience and so impressed Angela that she was offered a permanent position.

The young animal lover, who has always wanted to work with dogs, now has a paid job grooming, bathing and drying canine clients.  As an advanced apprentice, she is continuing to gain specific dog grooming qualifications at her workplace and is regularly visited by work based assessors from Reaseheath.  She had been introduced to dog grooming previously during her college course.

Angela Mayers has been part of the thriving business community in Saltney for seven years. The Groom Room offers an individual service for all breeds of dog and clients travel in from as far as Cumbria to take advantage of specialised processes such as hand stripping.

Said Angela: “The training Bethan received from Reaseheath College was excellent but, by taking advantage of the apprenticeship programme, I’ve been able to offer her the opportunity to gain more qualifications and practical experience.

“The apprenticeship programme is a great scheme and has made a real difference to my business as well as to Bethan’s future career.  It’s developed to guidelines so the training is nationally recognised and well supported by workbased assessors.  I ‘d  urge all businesses to take advantage of it.”

“Bethan lives near Ellesmere Port and is a former pupil at the Catholic High School, Chester. She said: “This is a dream job for me because I’m earning a wage and doing something which I enjoy.”

For further details about the The Groom Room visit their website. 

For further details about apprenticeship opportunities at Reaseheath College visit the apprenticeships section on our website.