THREE construction students from Warrington & Vale Royal College will soon be climbing the next rung on the ladder to success after securing apprenticeships with leading building firm, Cruden Construction Ltd.
Carpenter Eddie Swinney and bricklayers Newton Crane and Simon Harmon were among a number of students from the college to take part in apprenticeship trials with Cruden, having previously completed work placements with them.
After spending two weeks on placement at Cruden’s Harrison Square site in Warrington – where the company is building 65 new homes and three retail units – and then a week’s trial at a site in St Helens, Eddie, Newton and Simon were given the news that they had been selected to join Cruden’s apprenticeship programme.
Newton, a former Cardinal Newman pupil said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for us. I have always wanted to do an apprenticeship so to be able to secure one with Cruden before finishing my course at the college is great. I knew absolutely nothing about bricklaying when I joined and now I’ve got an apprenticeship in it – the college has taught me everything I know.”
Simon said: “I didn’t think I would get it, it came as a huge surprise when I found out that Cruden had selected me for the apprenticeship.”
The former Saints Peter and Paul Catholic College student added: “We’re really grateful for this opportunity.”
Ex Lymm High School pupil Eddie added: “I can’t wait to start. We wouldn’t have been able to get these apprenticeships if it wasn’t for Warrington & Vale Royal College.”
The apprenticeships come as part of a continued partnership with Cruden, formed thanks to both the college’s construction tutors and also its work placement team.
Faye Hennessey, Work Placement Officer, said: “As a college, we’re extremely proud of our extensive industry links, with companies like Cruden allowing us to give our learners real life work experience. It was a great opportunity for our joiners and bricklayers to be able to experience what it’s like on a busy construction site, and having this lead to full-time apprenticeships for Eddie, Simon and Newton is just the icing on the cake.”
As well as employing numerous apprentices from Warrington & Vale Royal College in recent years, the partnership has also seen Cruden donate tools and equipment to help those studying construction subjects at the college.
Andy Atkin, Curriculum Manager for Construction Trades, said: “We really appreciate everything Cruden is doing for both the students and us as a college. To have such a respected company working alongside the college only helps us further in training and equipping the next generation of carpenters, bricklayers, joiners, plumbers and electricians with the skills they need to go on and succeed.
