Industry leaders thank The Sun for brickies apprenticeship campaign as they’re flooded with applications

MAJOR firms have thrown their weight behind The Sun on Sunday’s Builder Better Britain campaign after we highlighted their apprenticeship vacancies.

Trainees and bosses at ACS Stainless Steel Fixings Limited and Efficiency North told of their gratitude over our crusade and how it has helped youngsters into work.

Both businesses have been inundated with applications for positions.

Gareth Twohey, commercial director at ACS Stainless Steel in Leeds, said: “The response we’ve had to apprenticeships is phenomenal.

“Since our vacancy featured in The Sun on Sunday’s pullout we’ve actually opened up another five vacancies, which we don’t think we will have a problem filling.

“We’re looking at taking on a further ten to 15 apprentices in the future, too.

“We fully back The Sun on Sunday’s campaign.

“It’s wonderful that such a big paper is helping to shout about what great opportunities there are for people aside from university.”

We launched our successful Builder Better Britain campaign in March to show how construction can make youths part of a vital industry and give them a well-paid career.

It came after the Government said it was going to turn to foreign workers to fill vacancies in jobs such as bricklaying and plumbing.

The Federation of Small Businesses found last August that 80 per cent of small firms had found problems hiring applicants with suitable skills in the previous 12 months.

Now the Government is calling on young people to consider a trade instead of uni, and our pullout last month — with 106 apprentice vacancies — was packed full of fabulous opportunities.

EN:Able Futures at Efficiency North in Sheffield has helped hundreds into apprenticeships over the past ten years.

Director of operations Julie Deeley said: “The Sun on Sunday is helping deliver the message we’ve been shouting about for years — an apprenticeship can open so many doors for all sorts of people.

“I’ve lost count of how many people we’ve seen who have landed really great jobs after just a few years.

“We have had so many exceptional people applying. We’re excited for their futures.”

Trainees are also delighted by our scheme. Kian Craig, 23, of Huddersfield, got an apprenticeship in civil engineering through Efficiency North.

He said: “It’s the best thing I’ve ever done.

“I got on to a level three apprenticeship course to do civil engineering.

“It’s been amazing.

“In three years I’ve gone from the most junior person on the team to the main engineer on site.

“It doesn’t take long to progress and I’m now earning £50,000.

“People who went to uni are saddled with bigger debts.

“I’m glad The Sun on Sunday is helping get the word out there.”

Rachel Flannery, 20, of Leeds, will start an apprenticeship in business admin with ACS Steel in September.

She said: “It was great to see all the vacancies advertised in The Sun on Sunday.

“Loads of my friends have been looking at the pullout.

“I’m excited to start my apprenticeship.

“I can’t wait to get stuck in.”