Recruits will be joining a company where the management team includes directors who have followed a similar path, starting on the shop floor and learning and applying the disciplines that are necessary to ensure business success.
Managing Director Malcolm Johnstone said he wanted to ensure talent was fostered and opportunities created to attract young people to join and learn about such a dynamic industry.
“The goal here is to give young people the practical experience with the backing of an established company and without incurring student debt,” he explained. “Industry must take the lead in ensuring that there is a steady stream of talent fulfilling demands of business growth. Apprenticeships are the first step that leads to a successful career and in ACS&T we have already seen their value and want to grow this valuable initiative.”
ACS&T currently has the ‘magnificent seven’ apprentices on its books – four multi-skilled coldstore operatives based at its Wolverhampton site, a further two in IT and Customer Services at head office in Grimsby and an apprentice vehicle engineer in Scarborough.
The group will gain an NVQ/QCF Level 2 qualification in their respective disciplines and be poised to continue their education and training following the ACS&T development programme. This programme takes employees through a series of educational and experience steps from the shop floor to potential management roles.
Mr Johnstone said the company was keen to offer opportunities to young people, who despite not being academic nevertheless had skills and talents that could be nurtured. This demonstrates ACS&T’s commitment to the local community as well as its own focus on staff development and training.
The company offers apprenticeships in a range of disciplines, from warehousing and office roles to plant and vehicle engineering, combining on-going practical training with a significantly higher than average apprentice wage and a widely recognised qualification.
Apprentice Alex Venables, who is based at the Wolverhampton depot, said the scheme had given him the chance to learn and develop while bringing home a wage:
“It’s a fantastic opportunity to gain hands-on experience with a respected, well-established company,” he said. “I’m really enjoying being part of the scheme and am grateful to ACS&T for giving me a head start, offering the chance to learn a trade, gain a recognised qualification and earn a decent wage all at the same time.”