Held during Scottish Apprenticeship Week, the two-day event saw over 40 local young women visit Mears’ Coatbridge branch to gain hands-on experience in a variety of practical roles.
Current female apprentices at Mears also attended the event, providing practical guidance with activities, as well as insight into their own career journeys so far.
Colleagues at Mears’ Coatbridge branch work with North Lanarkshire council, local schools and colleges to inspire future talent, year-round. This annual event is part of the outreach programme, which typically sees over 120 students visiting the branch for taster sessions and over 400 candidates attending the Mears Training Academy.
Gavin Hay, Training and Development Manager, explained:
“For many young people, building a career starts long before they leave school. This means that early opportunities to engage with employers and learn about careers, and the skills they require, are vitally important when it comes to inspiring the next generation of our workforce.
“We’ve tailored our approach with local young people in mind, emphasising the importance of having a positive attitude and willingness to learn, rather than solely on qualifications.”
Gavin added:
“These events are often not the only time we engage with these students. We often see many of them back at our own training academy for the apprenticeship vacancies we open at our Coatbridge branch, each year.
“Our recruitment process is very inclusive, and we make sure anyone who isn’t successful leaves with valuable learning and experience.”
These sessions provide guidance on applying for jobs, alongside practical advice on succeeding in job interviews and test centres.
For more information on apprenticeships with Mears, visit careers.mearsgroup.co.uk
