Nationwide Platforms celebrates National Apprenticeship Week with a dozen new opportunities

Nationwide Platforms one of the leading powered access rental companies in the UK, has opened applications for six engineering apprentices and six driver operator apprentices who will be trained to work with the wide range of machines that make up their 13,000 strong fleet of rental equipment. 

The Nationwide Platforms engineering apprenticeship is a three year programme tailored to develop multiple skills, including essential engineering, growing within a workplace and meeting high standards.  Apprentices work towards an NVQ Level 2 and 3 in plant maintenance, with classroom training taking place at regular intervals at a specialist residential college. The apprentices also receive considerable on-the-job training, gradually being given more responsibility throughout the three years. Upon successful completion of the programme, the apprentices become fully qualified engineers within Nationwide Platforms, carrying out on-going inspections and repairs of machines.

The driver operator apprenticeship is a year long programme that entails a seven day intensive driver training programme for the apprentices to obtain their class 2 driver’s licence, along with required qualifications to ensure they are professional drivers who positively represent the brand. They also receive classroom training delivered by the National Logistics Academy, based in Manchester. 

Driver operator apprentices are provided on-going machine training to ensure they have the requisite knowledge of the huge range available, enabling a smooth handover to customers for safe operation. Once qualified, the driver operator apprentices become full-time operators for Nationwide Platforms, operating powered access machines for our customers.

Adam Revell, head of technical training at Nationwide Platforms says, “Apprentices are the future. This is not just an important investment for us as a company,, but for the industry as a whole. HGV drivers and engineering are two of the biggest skills gaps out there, and we’ve got to bring more young people through. Our commitment to 12 new apprentices helps widen the talent pool for everybody.”

“Every apprentice is given a dedicated mentor to help train, guide and support them through their apprenticeship. These are typically fellow engineers with many years of knowledge to share. We provide training to the mentors to give them coaching skills and they enjoy being able to give something back”.

Aaron Hyde, winner of the Construction News Apprentice of the Year 2020 and now a fully qualified engineer at Nationwide Platforms, would highly recommend an apprenticeship with Nationwide.
“You learn so much from the experienced engineers here, and every day is different. As an apprentice, you get treated and respected just the same as the qualified engineers, and given lots of responsibility, which helps you learn faster. It is a great environment to work in.”