Supporting skills in crane engineering – with Apprentice of the Year

Granada have employed apprentices for over seven years within their 12-year residency as the Cranes and Lifting Service provider at Airbus. Justifiably very proud of their scheme, Granada are particularly pleased with the latest success for one apprentice, Jake Jones, who has recently been selected as Electrical Engineering Apprentice of the Year for Coleg Cambria which covers a large area of North Wales.

Achieving Distinctions * across every subject on his Engineering BTEC L3, Jake has now progressed on to his HNC in Engineering. In applying for the award, Jake’s tutors noted his proactive, mature approach; his all-round subject knowledge, and his outstanding effort and commitment to all aspects of the apprenticeship. His focused approach to career progression at Granada was highlighted, noting that he will doubtless go on to be an asset to his employer. Jake’s fellow Granada apprentice, Sam Moore has also excelled in his training, being on target to complete his apprenticeship qualifications ahead of schedule, by the end of June.

Peter Jones, from Coleg Cambria, commented,

“They have both performed excellently over the last three years and are a credit to Granada Material Handling and the support you have provided to them.”

With all apprentices to-date going on to secure a permanent job at Granada, the company provide extensive on-the-job mentoring, investing in apprentice training across the business. Their Airbus apprentices work on the same course as Airbus’ own trainees, at both the Broughton and Bristol sites.

As Alison Hodgson, Health Safety and Compliance Manager at Granada explains,

“At Granada, we understand the benefit of investing in apprentices. Bringing young people into the industry through this vocational route, with extensive practical learning alongside the college programme, is invaluable for our sector. Crane engineers are becoming a rare commodity, and we are proud to say that all our apprentices have progressed into meaningful jobs within Granada and Airbus.”

Granada are working with Deeside College to recruit new apprentices as part of the company’s longstanding relationship with Airbus, creating jobs in the local area and protecting and developing crane engineering skills.