As part of National Apprenticeship Week, we visited Siromer Tractors in Pilling to catch up with local apprentice Owen Whiteside, from Knott End, and work experience student Marcus Bancroft, from Pilling.
To celebrate National Apprenticeship Week 2016 members of the Employer Services Team paid a visit to some of the incredible apprentices the college supports. Myerscough College is one of the largest providers of specialist land based apprenticeships in the country, and supports approximately 1500 learners across more than 1000 different workplaces in a wide variety of sectors.These range from small businesses through to global brands particularly within the Sportsturf and Amenity Horticulture sectors where Myerscough is renowned across the globe for the quality of its provision. Many ex-Apprentices and other Myerscough learners have gone on to secure some of the top jobs within industry, a great testament to the quality of training the College provides.Siromer are a family run compact tractor and agricultural equipment company and have now sold more than 3,500 tractors nationwide, which are available flatpacked or assembled.In total the Pilling based business employs two apprentices in Landbased Engineering, and also engages with the college to provide valuable work experience placements to agricultural engineering students.17-year-old Owen shares his thought on choosing an apprenticeship and his future career plans, saying: “It’s great to be able to get an apprenticeship with a local business, and to earn a wage and get a qualification at the same time. I love my job as there is so much variety and its great to see an end product every day.The college work is challenging but I know I have to work hard to get qualififed in the industry. I hope once I finish that I can continue in employment here at Siromer.”Employer Services Manager Lee Price explains the visit and the range of services the college provides employers: “We support so many employers with their apprenticeship recruitment and training needs. It is fantastic to be able to take time to go into a local workplace, meet learners and employers and have a go at some new skills in the process.‘’It’s always a great feeling to see the fruits of our labour and to see how apprentices are developing in their roles. National Apprenticeship Week is a great time to highlight the great work of Apprentice and also the significant benefits they provide to employers. Owen was so passionate about the product, I know he has a bright future at Siromer Tractors”For more information on the range of Apprenticeships and other programmes at Myerscough College please contact the Employer Services Team on 01995 642255