Esh Group builds for future with apprentice drive

One of the North of England’s largest privately-owned construction businesses is further investing in the next generation with a new intake of apprentices.

Esh Group has welcomed 13 new apprentices, bringing the total number of apprentices within the company to 62, accounting for over 8 per cent of its workforce.

The diverse range of qualifications on offer includes Level 2 through to Higher National Certificates and degree apprenticeship courses, covering areas such as quantity surveying, site management and civil engineering.

Esh Group’s HR Director, Chris Watson, said: “Across Esh Group we have many stories of long-serving colleagues who joined us as apprentices and have developed their career pathway with the business.

“At Esh, we are committed to helping apprentices build their career with us and I’m looking forward to seeing this group prosper into more senior roles in years to come.”

Among the new intake is 16-year-old Evie Guy, starting a Level 3 advanced apprenticeship in quantity surveying, and Lewis Wells, 22, who joins the Seaham Garden Village project as a Level 4 civil engineering apprentice. Both reflected positively on what has proved a highly rewarding experience.

Evie said: “Apprenticeships are a secure and reliable start to your future career. I hope to successfully achieve promotions in my job role after completing my apprenticeship with Esh - it is a very welcoming, hard-working business and offers so many opportunities.” 

Lewis added: “I’d heard of Esh’s reputation and thought I’d fit in with their apprenticeship programme.

“I was keen to get some qualifications while gaining key experiences…I felt this would be a good route and I’ve definitely been thrown in at the deep end with the large scale of the Seaham Garden Village project.”

Esh Group’s apprentices are gaining practical experience while studying at New College Durham, with 44 apprenticeships and HNC courses having been completed in 2024. A further 18 employees are currently taking on qualifications and are due to complete their courses during the 2024-25 academic year.

Alison Maynard, Deputy Principal of New College Durham, said: “New College Durham is one of the largest and best-known providers of high-quality apprenticeship opportunities across all ages and all levels in the North East.

“An apprenticeship is a fantastic training option which gives students the opportunity to earn a wage while they learn, and we are proud to actively support and contribute to the apprenticeship landscape both regionally and nationally.”

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