West Midlands Mayor Andy Street visited Doocey Group’s Tipton premises to see the outstanding results of Sandwell College’s collaborative partnership with the construction industry trailblazer.
He met two groups of Highways Maintenance apprentices, including 14 who have all successfully completed their assessments and are set to start employment with Doocey, and a further 12 who started their training in September. Six apprentices are also working towards their Business Administration qualification with the company.
West Midlands Combined Authority colleagues, members of Sandwell Council and stakeholders were in attendance to celebrate the partnership which has already produced one award win and three nominations.
Highly successful summer programmes have been delivered to 160 plus school leavers and adult learners, aiming to build and develop skills in key growth areas – a priority for the region and the WMCA.
On completion of the summer programmes learners progressed into employment with HS2, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham and Severn Trent Water, to name just a few, as well as full-time construction training, T Levels and higher level study programmes.
– Doocey Group won Medium Size Business of the Year at The Express & Star Apprenticeship Awards in partnership with Black Country Ladder, and was a finalist in the Building the Future Best Employer of the Year Award.
– Kailum Woodfield was a finalist in the Young Apprentice of the Year category of Building the Future.
– Sandwell College’s Apprenticeship Team was a finalist in the Excellence in Education and Training Award.
Sandwell College’s Head of Apprenticeships Lisa Edwards said: “We are delighted to welcome the Mayor and showcase the success of our apprenticeship programme, recruitment drive and open events in collaboration with our partner employer Doocey Group. This achievement is a testament to the effective collaboration, development, and delivery of our pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programmes. Together with Doocey Group, Sandwell Council, and with the support of the West Midlands Combined Authority, we’ve paved the way for successful enrolment in Highways Apprenticeships in our local area.
“Our partnership showcases the power of collaboration and collective effort in shaping the future workforce in the construction and civil engineering industry. Supporting the utilisation of the Levy transfer, we’re proud to support SMEs in upskilling learners with in-demand skills.”
More information about Sandwell College apprenticeships can be found here
