Hull-based Spencer Group has taken on the most apprentices in the company’s history in partnership with Hull College.
The dozen recruits started after Hull-based specialist engineering business Spencer and the College worked together to develop the next generation of local talent for the company.
Spencer, which this year celebrates 25 years since it was founded, has hired six apprentices on a Technical Construction Apprenticeship programme.
Five more apprentices have joined a Software Development Higher Level Apprenticeship programme, the only one of its kind in the UK. The software development apprentices will work on the company’s Spencer Online System (SOS) in-house project and document management system.
Finally, the company has taken on a Computer-Aided Design (CAD) apprentice, who has joined the company’s design team. The new recruits join two business administration apprentices and two IT Services Apprentices who were already with the company.
Spencer chief executive Frank Millar said: “These appointments demonstrate our commitment to invest in the young people of our home city and in the future of our industry.
“Working with a valued partner in Hull College, we are proud to offer these young people the opportunity to gain tremendous experience in a business which operates nationally and internationally and be part of our exciting growth plans.“
Spencer training manager Aaron McIver said: “This group of apprentices is the most we have ever employed, but as the business grows we anticipate taking more in future years to service our growth aspirations.
“We are based here in Hull, we were founded here and one of the things we are passionate about is investing in the local community. We want to provide opportunities for local people and the talent in this area is phenomenal.
“We’ve had a great experience with Hull College, hence why we use them as our only supplier of apprenticeships.
“All the apprenticeships we offer are bespoke to our needs and the only way we have been able to achieve that has been through working closely with Hull College. It really feels like we’re in this together."
Hull College principal Graham Towse said: “What is really pleasing is that this is a true partnership. These apprenticeship programmes have been developed with Spencer Group to create a package that directly suits the needs of the employer.
“We have worked with Spencer to identify these young people, in some cases quite early on, prior to them finishing their college courses.
"Spencer has been able to engage with and nurture them, so that when the company is ready to offer an apprenticeship they are already moulded to fit the role, they understand the values of the company and they can hit the ground running.
“Having met all these young people they are very confident, mature and smartly turned out. They understand the great opportunity available to them and they’re raring to go.“
Pictured: Keiron Musgrave, Philip Kirkwood, Jonah O’Leary, Daniel Sach, Courtney Harris, Jack Hardcastle, design director Ian Steadman, COO Gary Thornton, systems director Lucy Grierson, chief executive Frank Millar, training manager Aaron McIver, Alfie Driver, Lee Westoby, Ryan Palmers, Jamie Hartley, Josh Barker and Ryan Walters.