Peel Ports has launched a new UK-wide apprenticeship programme as it announces plans to take on five new apprentice recruits at the Port of Liverpool.

The group, which is behind the £300m Liverpool2 deep-water container terminal, has spent the last twelve months developing its new apprenticeship programme, and aims to recruit 50 new apprentices within the next five years.

The new scheme is Peel Ports’ first UK-wide apprenticeship programme meaning that apprentices will be able to gain experience of working at various port operations including sites in Liverpool, Manchester, Dublin, Glasgow, Sheerness and Heysham through a structured development programme which can lead up to HND/degree level.

By offering new apprentices the opportunity to work at multiple sites around the UK, Peel Ports aims to give recruits an insight into the size and scale of the business and the importance of the ports working together to create a lean supply chain.

Currently Peel Ports employs 41 apprentices across its UK and Ireland ports and terminals. The five new recruits will take the total to 46, including 29 at Liverpool.

The new scheme forms part of Peel Ports’ commitment to create a highly skilled workforce, enabling it to deliver investments in new port facilities across the UK and providing improved services for customers.

The announcement comes just weeks after Peel Ports confirmed it will create 75 new jobs in the next three months as part of the first tranche of 500 jobs which will be generated by the construction of Liverpool2.

As part of its drive to create increased apprenticeship opportunities, Peel Ports has been engaging with local schools, colleges and universities in Liverpool and at careers fairs, giving prospective apprentices the opportunity to hear about potential career opportunities within logistics.

Apprentices joining the business will train to become qualified in either mechanical, electrical or automation engineering over a four year period; with one year full time at college and another three years training on the job, supplemented by further college study. In addition, a structured pastoral care programme ensures that apprentices are supported throughout.

Apprentices could also have the chance to work on the new £300m Liverpool2 deep-water container terminal due to open later this year, as well as new developments in Scotland, Sheerness and Ireland. They will also experience first-hand some of the most sophisticated portside and operations technology in the industry such as the new £2m ‘cranes with brains’ installed at Liverpool.

Peel Ports’ apprentices are assigned a work mentor, who will support them throughout their training while their personal development will be encouraged through external activities such as the Apprentice Ship Cup Challenge, which Peel Ports supports.

The Apprentice Ship Cup gives apprentices a once in a lifetime opportunity to learn new skills such as communication, teamwork and leadership skills whilst racing Tall Ships across the Irish Sea. Last year, 17 apprentices from Peel Ports took part, eventually winning the overall Apprentice Ship Cup award, thanks to the hard work and professionalism of its apprentices.

Howard Sloane, Group HR Director, Peel Ports, said:

“At Peel Ports we believe the apprentices of today can go on to become our future leaders of tomorrow and the investments we’ve made in this apprenticeship programme are indicative of this.

“Our commitments to stimulating employment opportunities, across the UK and Ireland and within the Merseyside region, as well as the ports industry as a whole has never been stronger and we relish the prospects of having new colleagues joining our apprenticeship programme.

“Our apprentices are hugely important to us and we want to help each and every one of them develop their career within the industry. We also encourage our apprentices to develop themselves as individuals, helping build their confidence and communication skills, which are just as important as their technical skills.

“To improve, we’ve listened to our current and past apprentices and this new apprenticeship programme is more comprehensive and career focused than ever before.  We want our apprentices to feel valued during their time with us. To support this they will have full access to our employee benefits such as our Flexible Benefits scheme, healthcare plan and our award winning Pension Scheme.

“As a company we believe that if we invest in the long-term future of our apprentices then our customers, our employees and our business partners will all reap the benefits of a stable, committed team which will help build a brighter future for Peel Ports.”

Peel Ports works closely with its employees nearing the end of their apprenticeship to help make the transition into permanent employment within the company.

Adam Hurst a third year mechanical engineering apprentice at the Port of Liverpool said:

“I joined the apprentice scheme straight from school at 16. As an employer Peel Ports has offered me a great opportunity to experience life in a working port, allowing me to earn whilst I learn in a diverse industrial environment. The scheme is a good platform and will open up future opportunities for me.”

Those interested in finding out more about Peel Ports’ apprenticeship programme visit http://peelports.com/apprenticeships If you are interested in other roles within the group visit http://peelports.com/careers-peel-ports