The Collaborative Learning Circle™ | Driving careers for young apprentices

Marc Hobbins Posted On March 6, 2019

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The Collaborative Learning Circle (CLC) continues to gather momentum as recently, on 20^th February 2019, all supply chain partners flocked to Wolverhampton to support associated charity, OnSide via a Career Awareness Day at the Wolverhampton OnSide Youth Zone.

The CLC is a group of leading highways industry organisations that have joined together to provide a way into work for young people that otherwise may not have had the chance to do so.

With over 70 young attendees visiting, the Awareness Day provided the young people at OnSide an opportunity to discover what life is like working for any of the plethora of companies present at the open day- a range of specialists from road marking to civils to traffic management and more.

Featured at the open day were industry leaders such as Kier, Aggregate Industries, Tarmac, WJ, Chevron, Carnell, Toppesfield and R & C Williams.

The day itself was comprised of each company hosting their own stand within the building, providing information on their products, services and companies. In total, 12 companies were spreading the gospel of how important, skillful, and varied our industry can be.

Additionally, the exterior area at OnSide provided the opportunity for the exhibiting companies to showcase some of their plant and machinery for a much more real life, up close and personal look at what our industry has to offer, and what’s required from its employees on the ground.

Given the youthful audience, the day was all about fun, excitement and engagement with the young people attending.

The latest technologies were showcased, including the use of Virtual Reality, drones, 3D modelling and simulators allowing the young people to operate an excavator.

Externally there were the latest items of plant and machinery including the multi-Award winning SAFETYcam vehicle and robotic line marking machine.

Nigel Drew, Managing Director of R & C Williams who are a locally based company commented:

“The CLC has placed great value and emphasis on turning to young people as the future of the industry. However, we’ve heard over the years plenty of people and companies claim that this is a goal of great importance- often without too much action to back up the claims.
“Every partner within the CLC has a real commitment to making this happen, driving the next generation of highways and construction professionals. Events like today are the action behind the words- making sure we reach out, engage young people and showcase our industry to them.
“It’s then even more satisfying for all involved that this can be done through a charity like OnSide and benefit these young, talented people as well as equally benefit the industry and the companies within it looking to add younger employees to their workforces.”

One first hand account of the good work done by the CLC, is the case of Aaron Doyle. A young man who now finds himself on an apprenticeship with Kier, after getting involved with the “Get a Job” programme at Mahdlo – OnSide’s Oldham youth zone.

Aaron told us:

“After finishing school, I wasn’t sure what to do. In fact, even during school I never had an idea of what I wanted to do with my life.
“When the school year finished, while most of my friends went off to Uni, I went unemployed for over 4 months. After some time, my advisor suggested to do the “Get A Job” programme at Mahdlo.
“Towards the end of the programme it was suggested to do an admin apprenticeship with Kier. I had never heard of them before but thought that it would be a great opportunity and that it might help me decide what I want to do with my life. The interview went great, the next day I was called to say I was successful, and a week later I started as a Social Value Apprentice.
“So far, I have loved my time here. I have been involved in a few different projects including different SharePoint sites, helping with events etc. Being in a nice environment with friendly people has helped me come out of my shell and develop as a person.
“Kier is a huge organisation, and I’m learning about new operations and systems each day. There are plenty of different opportunities, career paths, and roles that I could move into in the future. I’m excited for the future and I look forward to new tasks and opportunities.”

Find out more here http://www.ourclc.co.uk/