06/09/2016 - Lucketts revs up its apprenticeship programme
It may be celebrating its 90th anniversary but local company Lucketts Travel has its eyes firmly fixed on the future as it helps to train the next generation.
The Fareham-based firm is expanding its apprenticeship programme this academic year, taking on three new apprentices and developing a new driver apprentice scheme which could create even more jobs for young people.
The scheme would see ambitious youngsters get the chance to ‘earn while they learn’, holding a full-time role at Lucketts while getting additional training towards a recognised qualification at a local college. The special programme would also see Lucketts pay for the apprentices to take their driving test and PCV (Passenger Carrying Vehicle) licence, a cost that many young people struggle to fund themselves.
Lucketts, which employs more than 320 people, has taken on two new apprentices this academic year. Peter Snaith, 17, and Brandon Thorpe, 18, have joined as apprentice PCV technicians and will learn how to repair and maintain everything from engines and gearboxes to toilets and coffee machines during their two-year programme. The pair will be mentored by Lucketts’ engineering director Mark Jordan, who himself started his career as an apprentice in 1988.
Mark said: “Apprenticeships in the bus and coach industry are good because they’re so varied and you have to be able to turn your hand to so many disciplines to maintain such a varied fleet. Seeing young people come into this industry and develop not just as technicians but also as people and becoming a valuable asset to our business is so rewarding.”
Lucketts is also looking for a new HR apprentice to take the reins from Emily Shaw, who has been given a full-time role with the company after completing her apprenticeship. 19-year-old Emily, who is now working in a sales administration role for Lucketts’ Coliseum brand, said: “For me, an apprenticeship was the best way to get on the career ladder and I’ve loved every minute of it. I wanted to get straight into work and get the hands-on experience that only comes with an apprenticeship. Lucketts were really supportive to put me through a programme that gave me my foundation CIPD, something most people don’t get until they’re in their 20s. Even though my apprenticeship has finished they’re still helping me with training and now I’m working towards my level 5 qualification.”
Also completing his apprenticeship and securing a full-time role with Lucketts this year is Callum Grant, who works in the engineering department.
Joint managing director Ian Luckett said: “Developing the next generation of engineers, drivers and office staff is important to us as we look ahead to our next 90 years in business. The apprentices we are training today could well be at the helm of the company in years to come and giving them the right mix of on-the-job training and academic learning allows us to ensure they have the very best skills for the job.”
To find out more about Lucketts and current vacancies visit www.lucketts.co.uk
Pictured left to right: Peter Snaith, Emily Shaw and Brandon Thorpe