Member Article

Apprentices brush up on skills with Bland

An innovative partnership has put young decorators on the ladder to a colourful career.

A work with a local employer initiative, run by Darlington College, has given two of its painting and decorating apprentices the opportunity to secure positions with heating contractors R Bland.

Mark Evans, 19, and Thomas Clark, 18, have each been offered full-time jobs after successfully passing a trial period with the company.

Director Philip Bland, who employs over 100 people, said: “We have a long established relationship with Darlington College and many of our employees, including myself, were former apprentices there.

“As a business we realise that apprentices are the lifeblood of our company. We stopped taking them for a while about 20 years ago and it really hindered our growth.

“Now we pair our trainees up with seasoned tradesmen so that they can learn the skills required for the job and we get to mould them into our way of working.

“We are committed to training young people and if Mark and Thomas stick in then they have a great opportunity to progress within the company.”

Mark and Thomas are currently being supervised by foreman David Inglis on the refurbishment of a social housing development including the stripping and decorating of kitchens and bathrooms.

“It’s quite hard for young people to get a job in today’s market,” said David, 30, who also did his apprenticeship through Darlington College.

“We only contact the college to take on an apprentice if we know that a position is available for them.

“We look for good timekeepers, people who are honest and trustworthy and who want to learn skills from time served professionals to give them a good career.”

Thomas, of Darlington, said: “I didn’t think I’d have the opportunity to get a job so soon and am pleased that the tutors at the college saw something in me to recommend me to R Bland.”

Mark, of Barton, added: “I’ve got a lot to learn from this company and I’d love to be able to run my own business one day.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Martin Walker .