Apprentices join the A6 to Manchester Airport relief road team

Six talented apprentices have been selected to join the A6 to Manchester Airport Relief Road team and launch their professional careers in construction.

Chosen following a tough selection process that tested candidate’s knowledge and skills for the sector, each of the apprentices has now joined the project team and begun their training.

Pictured above:From left to right: Ben Aspden, Tyler Shaw, Lee Rossiter, Sam Wellfair, Liam Redwood and Ben Whittle the apprentices appointed to the A6 to Manchester Airport Relief Road team

Working across different areas of the £290 million relief road scheme, each of the apprentices will have the opportunity to gain a wealth of hands-on experience as well as formal training during their 30-month placement. As the programme progresses, each trainee will be able focus their training into their chosen field gaining intermediate and advanced apprenticeships.

Each of the partner Councils – Stockport, Cheshire East and Manchester – and joint venture contractors Carillion and Morgan Sindall are committed to offering employment opportunities to local young people and the apprenticeships form an important part of this, but it doesn’t stop there. Working with the Greater Manchester Chamber, further opportunities for gaining experience on the relief road project will be offered through the Shared Construction Apprenticeship scheme, helping ensure as many young people as possible benefit from the high profile scheme.

One of the apprentices selected for the scheme, Lee Rossiter, said: “So far I have really enjoyed my experience on the apprenticeship.  I have learnt lots of new things that may only seem little to the qualified staff on this job but to me it’s all these little steps that will ultimately give me the engineering knowledge needed to succeed and fulfil my dream of working in this area”

Neil Rogers, Carillion Morgan Sindall JV Project Director said: “The A6 to Manchester Airport Relief Road project gives us an excellent opportunity to provide the apprentices with the 2½  years of civil engineering experience and training necessary to achieve the NVQ  Level 3 qualification. We are particularly pleased that the six are all from the local area.”

Cllr Sue Derbyshire, Leader of Stockport Council said “I am pleased to welcome the apprentices to the A6 to Manchester Airport Relief Road team.  The project will bring a lot of benefits to local communities and it is great to hear how these young people are benefitting from the work already.  I wish each of them every success for the future.”

The A6 to Manchester Airport Relief Road is a 10km of dual carriageway being constructed to improve access across south east Manchester and east Cheshire. The new road will bring significant benefits to communities by improving connectivity; reducing levels of local congestion and ensuring that local employment and business opportunities are within easy reach for all.

To keep updated about works taking place along the A6 to Manchester Airport Relief Road route and events being held visit www.semmms.info