It’s hard to believe that it’s almost a year since our first cohort of Kickstart trainees joined Millcroft as part of a Government scheme to help young people into careers.
Since then, our involvement with the Kickstart programme has been so successful that we have now welcomed our second group of Kickstart trainees, all of whom are joining us as trainee scaffolders.
James Fancy, Raphael Oluyinka, Lewis Mence and Danny Mansfield joined Millcroft as Kickstarters in January and began their six-week induction with a full day’s health and safety training, delivered by our head of SHEQ, Mike Wright. They then took up their roles in the yard, ensuring they understand the basics of scaffolding and the equipment we use. Each of the recruits has been issued with a bespoke Kickstarter Millcroft uniform, which makes them instantly recognisable as trainees, ensuring that they have the support and mentoring they need to progress at the company and in their careers.
It’s a journey that’s very familiar to our first group of Kickstart trainees, four of whom are now permanent, full-time members of the Millcroft team, training with us as apprentices.
During their six-week induction, the new Kickstarters - James, Raphael, Lewis and Danny - will receive formal training in our in-house CITB Site safety Plus-accredited training centre, alongside on-the-job experience, mentoring in the yard, and site visits. They will then be ready to begin their site training as part of our experienced scaffolding team.
Mike Wright commented: “The scaffolding sector offers a rewarding career path and it’s important for successful companies like Millcroft to take an active role in attracting young people into the industry.
“At Millcroft, we have found that the Kickstart scheme is an excellent vehicle for doing just that; enabling us to create opportunities for young people while delivering our strategy for developing homegrown talent. From the outset, we have been committed to really investing in our Kickstarters and providing a proper training structure. It means we are giving them the start they need in their career and the best possible chance of turning this opportunity into a long-term role with the company.”
