Local apprentices to work on Mersey Gateway Project

Scaffolding supplier Altrad NSG has hired two local apprenticeships to work on the Mersey Gateway Project.

In recognition of National Apprenticeship Week (14-18 March 2016) Merseylink has announced that its scaffolding supplier have hired two local apprentices on a 20 month apprenticeship scheme.

David McNamara, 22, and Paul Humphries, 20, both from Runcorn, have joined the scaffolding and industrial services specialist, Altrad HSG’s, which are erecting scaffolding right across the project from the bridge piers, pylons and elevated approach roads.

David, who is based on site at Ditton in Widnes, said: “I’ve worked with Altrad NSG as a labourer since I left school and I’m keen to progress in the trade. When I asked about opportunities I was encouraged to apply for the apprenticeship. I’m enjoying it a lot; it’s like working with big Lego. I’m learning so much from working on site and the lads are really supportive.”

Paul has joined the scaffolding gang working on the moveable scaffolding system. He said: “I applied for the apprenticeship because I want to learn a trade. I’m enjoying finding out what all of the scaffolding equipment is and how it works. The Mersey Gateway Project is one of the biggest things going on and it’s right next to home so it’s great to be working on it.”

The two apprentices will be learning on-the-job alongside senior scaffolders while working towards an NVQ Level 2 in Scaffolding. The apprenticeship is a practical work-based programme that teaches the basics of the scaffolding trade. It covers workplace safety, erecting and dismantling all types of scaffolding structures, building methods and construction technologies.

Mike Carr, Managing Director at Altrad NSG, said: “We are very pleased to once again create employment opportunities by way of Apprenticeships. Altrad NSG has employed Apprentices across its businesses for many years and this has proved to be beneficial to the company as a whole, especially as we have an extremely high rate of skill retention once training is complete.

“The labour market place has been very challenging due to skills shortages and the utilisation of apprenticeships is one solution to this problem.   We have worked closely with our training providers (Training 2000 and Simian) to ensure our Apprentices are trained to a high level in a supportive environment.”

A total of 21 apprentices have been hired to work on the Mersey Gateway Project in the areas of office administration, accountancy, IT, traffic management, scaffolding, steel fixing and general construction.

Merseylink has directly appointed 12 apprentices and 9 have been employed by the project’s subcontractors, which include Altrad NSG, Sword, Tarmac and Adept 4.

The Mersey Gateway Bridge is on schedule to open in autumn 2017.

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