Partner Article

Wilkinson Maintenance continues to invest in youth employment

Wilkinson Maintenance Ltd, the North East’s leading commercial refurbishment and reactive maintenance specialist, has taken on two new apprentices who trained in the region as part of its continued commitment to youth employment.

As part of its growth plan, which includes a strong commitment to apprenticeships, the company has expanded its workforce from 29 to 42 over the past eighteen months.

Newest recruit Adam Surtees, 18, joined the company in February as an accounts assistant after studying at Durham Training, which is part of Durham Business Group, formerly Durham Business Club. The club, in common with many other training providers, offers a variety of ‘modern’ apprenticeships in business administration, accounting, customer service, hairdressing and beauty therapy.

Adam commented: “Wilkinson Maintenance has been incredibly supportive and I am currently learning a wealth of work-based skills that will be highly transferable in the future.

“I have always been interested in the finance side of business, however, university never appealed to me and this apprenticeship has provided me with hands on, work experience.”

Adam added: “I hope to stay on with Wilkinson Maintenance, after completing the two years and Level 4 Association of Accountant Technicians (AAT) qualification, and work towards a Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) qualifications so that I can become an accounts manager.”

The investment follows a sustained period of investment in apprenticeships by Wilkinson Maintenance over the past three years with eight apprentices so far being taken on. The vast majority of Wilkinson Maintenance’s apprentices go on to be offered employment with the company on completion of their apprenticeships.

Another apprentice Sophie Richards, 18, who studied Business Studies also at Durham Training, will start at Wilkinson Maintenance in July.

Stuart Anderson, Managing Director of Wilkinson Maintenance, said: “Youth unemployment is one of the greatest challenges facing this country so it’s pleasing to be able to play a small part through the creation of apprenticeship places.

“As a company in the building and maintenance sector we know the benefits of trade apprenticeships, but the framework can equally be applied to office-based activities like the programmes we have introduced for Adam and Sophie.

He added: “We will be working closely with the new apprentices for the next three years until he completes his apprenticeship. It’s great that we have been able to offer so many young people a chance at beginning their careers and we hope for great things from all of them.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Wilkinson Maintenance .