Luton based Neville Group, consisting of Neville Special Projects and Neville Joinery and also Neville Funerals and Neville Trust, has launched their 2022 apprenticeship programme in a bid to boost local employment opportunities and provide long term career prospects.

The fifth-generation family owned and run group has a long history of successful apprenticeship programmes, since 1881 in fact, when their first apprentice came on board – a carpenter joiner – who was indentured at three shillings a week.

Today, Apprentices at the Group can expect quite a different package, with the company investing heavily in modern technology, internal training and a mentoring scheme that aims to help applicants learn on the job whilst benefitting from the years of experience offered by other team members.

Vicky Trumper explains: “It’s a testament to that fact that we have a significant number of staff working for us that joined us as apprentices and have remained with us for their whole career. As of April 2022 28% of our 187 strong workforce have either trained or are training with us as apprentices, trainees or are new to their profession.

“Depending on the role, our apprenticeships are either conducted by on site assessment or day release to college or university. All will be assigned a mentor who will either a line manager or a suitably qualified or experienced colleague. Apprentices will be further supported by our dedicated HR team who will follow up on progress and at key milestones. They keep in constant contact with tutors and colleges to ensure that the external learning plans stay on track.

“Despite the pandemic, the group continued to take on apprentices and the 2021 intake are approaching the end of their first year with the group with apprenticeships being undertaken in painting and decorating, bench joinery, business administration, marketing and floristry. We are still growing as a group of businesses and years of experience tells us that there is a wealth of local and talented individuals that we can offer long term career and development opportunities to. It is surely part of our role as a long term, responsible local employer.”

With a September launch planned, The Group plans to open its new programme with 4 vacancies, for an Electrician (Level 3), Bench Joiner (Level 3), Quantity Surveyor (Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship) and Site Manager (Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship). The firm will be partnering with West Herts College, Bedford College, Barnfield College, London South Bank University and London Westminster University to provide the curriculums and the business also intends to contact local schools directly with information about the programme.

The deadline for applications for the Neville’s Apprenticeship Programme is 30^th June 2022, and in the first instance applicants just need to send in a covering letter and CV to hrdept@nevillesupport.co.uk

More details of the qualifications required to apply, the format of the training programmes and benefits on offer can be found at www.nevilleconstruction.co.uk and www.nevillejoinery.co.uk.