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CR Smith apprentices Brad and Jake

CR Smith apprentice joiners carve career through CR Smith apprenticeship programme

09/03/18

National Apprenticeship Week draws to a close today, and for us, apprentices are vital.  They are the next generation of employees and what help keep our wheels in motion.

For some young people, when they’ve walked out of the high school gates for the final time and into the big wide world, venturing onto the career path can seem like a daunting prospect, especially if they aren’t sure what they want to do.

That’s why apprenticeships are important and a reason we set up our own bespoke apprenticeship programme in 2015, which is tied to a City & Guilds framework.

Training is delivered by our own staff and Fife College at our purpose built training centre in Dunfermline. By opting for this route rather than a traditional block release programme, our apprentices are fully equipped with the right skills they need to work for us once their three year apprenticeship finishes.

Brad McKenzie, 20, a former pupil of Beath High and 21 year old Jake Fyfe from Cowdenbeath, were originally labourers with CR Smith, before they joined the apprenticeship programme three years ago.

Brad, who lives in Kelty, said:

“The programme offers the best of both worlds as I’m on site at customers’ homes, as well as spending time in the CR Smith training centre.

“I’m always learning and perfecting my skills, which I enjoy.”

Jake, a former St Columba’s High pupil, added:

“I’d been working for a year as a labourer before the programme was in place. When I heard about the apprenticeship opportunity I jumped at the chance to learn to become a joiner.

“It’s great when a local employer believes in training the next generation of skilled manual workers and I’m looking forward to becoming fully fledged joiners later this year.”