TEN new engineering services apprentices have set their sights on a successful career with Tameside Council.
The road to the future is paved with the highest aspirations for the seven mason paviours and three civil engineers.
The latest group of apprentices say they were attracted to joining Tameside by the on-the-job training they could expect and the possibility of working their way up to a supervisor or assistant engineer.
Among the paviours, 16-year-old Evan Gorton from Stalybridge said he was impressed by the route to progress.
Obie Norry, 16, an apprentice civil engineer from Dukinfield, said: “So far, I’ve most enjoyed seeing what happens behind the scenes and how much planning and effort goes into each scheme.”
Jacob Sallabank, 18, from Hollingworth, said he likes that Tameside Council “cares about their community and wants to make a change”.
Engineering has always interested Henry Catherall, 16, from Stalybridge, who added: “When I heard about the apprenticeship, I had to apply because it was the perfect opportunity.”
The five first-year mason paviours and two second-years, whose ages range from 16 to 25, are about to start a level two qualification in highway maintenance, covering health and safety, kerbing, tarmacing and paving.
The three new teenage civil engineers will be taking on a range of duties across their three-year apprenticeship – including street lighting, and highway design and maintenance.
Mossley councillor Stephen Homer, Tameside Council’s executive member for Towns, Transport and Connectivity, said: “I’m delighted and proud that such highly-motivated and enthusiastic young people see Tameside Council as the right employer to train them and offer them a chance to advance their careers.
“I can assure them they will be well looked-after and given every chance to progress. I wish them the very best of luck for the future and I’m sure they will do well and become a real asset to the authority.”