Shadow Minister for North Wales and Clwyd West MS Darren Millar has applauded a Ruthin-based civil engineering firm for the new opportunities it is providing for young people in the area. 

Jones Bros Civil Engineering UK has launched an operative training scheme in response to the Welsh Government's decision to stop funding the level two apprenticeship and transition to a level three framework.

The new operative training scheme, created to continue to provide a pathway into civil engineering for young people, is a 15-month contract that starts with health, safety, and environmental training.

This is followed by the Construction Plant Competence Scheme (CPCS) standard instruction on plant machinery, including forward tipping dumpers, ride-on rollers, tractors, telehandlers, and articulated dump trucks.

Once completed, the employee will receive a CPCS red card in the categories in which they have been trained and tested ahead of further competency preparation before going out on site.

Darren, who has visited Jones Bros numerous times over the years and on his last visit last year discussed the new training scheme with company bosses, said: 

“Jones Bros are one of the UK’s largest civil engineering firms and I have always been extremely proud that they are based here in my constituency. 

“Last year I paid them a visit along with Shadow Minister for the Economy, Paul Davies MS, and Shadow Minister for Rural Affairs and the Welsh Language, Samuel Kurtz MS, and we heard about their plans for this new training scheme. I am therefore delighted that it has come to fruition and that so many young people are benefiting from the opportunities it is providing. 

“The company really is an asset to North Wales and I look forward to meeting some of those taking part in the new operative training scheme when I next visit.”    

Tony, head of business management systems and support at Jones Bros, said: 

"We’ve had to pivot to an operative training scheme from the old level two apprenticeships, which has meant a lot of hard work internally.

"What is pleasing is that, although not a traditional level two apprenticeship, our offering has been warmly received and the candidates have been of the usual high standard."

ENDS 

Picture Caption: Clwyd West MS Darren Millar on his visit to Ruthin-based Jones Bros Civil Engineering UK with Shadow Minister for the Economy, Paul Davies MS, and Shadow Minister for Rural Affairs and the Welsh Language, Samuel Kurtz MS, last year.