An apprentice has revealed the challenges of learning a trade at home, as a result of college closures due to Covid-19.
According to Derbyshire Live, 17-year-old Adam Poulton, from Buxton, says the challenges of lockdown learning have not prevented his progress with his Tarmac apprenticeship.
Adam says, “I have always been in to engineering, getting involved with Lego and robot clubs at school. But it was hearing about Tarmac from a neighbour that made me want to apply for the apprenticeship.
“I am in my first year of a four-year electrical apprenticeship. Whilst it has been a bit strange – starting this during a pandemic – it has not prevented me from progressing with my learning.
“I am based at home at the moment, with regular contact with my college and also with my Tarmac coaches.
“One of the things I am looking forward to when the restrictions lift and we are back in college properly is a planned ‘Robot Wars’ event. I will join four other Tarmac apprentices to put our training to the test as two teams competing against each other.
“I am also really looking forward to my second year when I will be mostly based at the Tunstead site, working with experienced team members and building my skills at the same time as being part of a busy team, manufacturing construction products for projects around the country.”
Tarmac are offering six apprenticeship opportunities at Tunstead in 2021.
Each apprenticeship will last four years with all recruits undertaking a year of vocational training at Chesterfield College, as well as receiving expert technical on-site training in their chosen discipline.
The apprentices work towards an NVQ level 3 Diploma (ONC).
There are three operations at the site, covering cement and lime manufacture and stone quarrying. This year Tarmac is offering six new apprenticeships, starting in September – four electrical, one mechanical and one Higher logistics position.
