Nine young people who joined Cumbria County Council as highways apprentices have now secured full-time jobs with the authority.
The hard-working apprentices have all been offered permanent posts with highways teams who maintain the county’s road network. The county council’s apprenticeship scheme underlines the authority’s commitment to investing in training for young people and Cumbria is reaping the benefits of effectively ‘growing our own’ talent.
Councillor Keith Little, Cumbria County Council’s Cabinet member for Highways and Transport, said: “I’d like to congratulate our apprentices on securing permanent roles with our highways teams. We’ve got some fantastic young people in Cumbria and it’s crucial to our economy that we grow our own talent from within. Apprenticeships provide the chance for young people to earn and learn and develop a range of skills.”
Cllr Sue Sanderson, Cumbria County Council’s Cabinet member for Schools and Learning, said: “Apprenticeships give young people the opportunity to gain professional qualifications, work experience and a step on to the career ladder. The county council is very proud to continue promoting apprentices and we’re delighted with the ongoing success of our apprenticeship programme.”
The apprentices are:
Jack Harrison– Jack, started his apprenticeship in September 2018 and has worked with the Traffic Team, the Local Network Team and the Carlisle Northern Development Route Engineer. Jack has now secured a full-time role working in the Carlisle Network Team as a Technician.
Scott Watson– Scott started his apprenticeship in September 2018 and worked with the Local Network Team, the Carlisle Northern Development Route Engineer and the Traffic Signals Team. Scott is now working as an Assistant Technician in the Carlisle Network Team.
Callum Banks – Callum started his apprenticeship in May 2019 and has mainly worked within Network Management, starting on assisting Highways Officers with utility maps and quantities, then using the Highways Information Management System and more recently undertaking scheme design and supervision work. Callum will be a real asset to the Allerdale Network Team as their new Technician.
Rainy Canavan– Rainy started her apprenticeship in September 2019 and worked alongside the Section 38 Engineer, working with developers, for three months before undertaking a similar spell in the Traffic Team and then moving to Network Management. Rainy is now working in the Allerdale Network Team as an Assistant Technician.
Kai Cunningham– Kai started on a traineeship with Cumbria County Council in highways between September 2018 and February 2019, before securing an apprenticeship which began in April 2019. Kai has mainly worked with Network Management but has also had experience with the West Area Traffic Team. Kai has recently secured an Assistant Technician post with the Copeland Network Team.
Kieron Jenkinson – Started with the council as an apprentice in September 2018 and worked predominately within the Copeland Network team as well as experience working with other teams in Lillyhall. Kieron has now secured a permanent role in the Streetworks Team as a Streetworks Permits Officer.
Shaun Gregg – Started with the council in September 2019 working within the Highway Delivery Team. Shaun has gained practical experience and knowledge in many disciplines within Highway Maintenance including river stabilisation using rock armour and gabion baskets, walling, bridge repair, drainage installation and repair and highway pothole patching. Shaun was nominated for Apprentice of the Year category in the county council’s Excellence Awards 2020 for staff. He is now a Highways Operative in Eden.
Lewis Phillips – Started with us as a Highways apprentice in May 2019 working within the Highway Delivery Team. Lewis has gained practical experience and knowledge and has been involved in many aspects of Highway Maintenance including highway patching, drainage installation and repair, bridge repairs, river stabilisation, walling and pothole repairs. Lewis recently secured a position as a Highways Operative in Eden.
Oliver Chapman – Started with us as a Highways apprentice in September 2019 working within the Highway Delivery Team. Oliver has gained a vast amount of experience and knowledge working with our teams and has carried out many aspects of Highway Maintenance including patching, kerbing, drainage, walling and modular paving. Oliver recently secured a position as a Highways Operative in Barrow.
