The 5% club consists of employers who are committed to providing earn and learn positions such as apprentices, sponsored students and graduates. As National Apprenticeship Week continues, Van Elle is proud to employ 28 ambitious learners, including one sponsored learner, eight graduates and 19 apprentices.

To coincide with National Apprenticeship Week, Van Elle is launching its Future Riggers campaign. The campaign is aimed at raising awareness of the Piling Attendant apprenticeship Van Elle delivers, encouraging companies to invest in their workforce and support the development of geotechnical engineers and piling operatives.

Van Elle announced last August that it is the only RoATP (Register of Apprenticeship Training Providers) able to deliver the Piling Attendant apprenticeship. After taking nine of its own employees on board it will be soon looking to take on external candidates.

Over the next few months, Van Elle will be showcasing the programme and the experience it has gained from working closely with Sheffield College to deliver elements of the programme, Paul Edwards, senior business development manager for Sheffield College said: "The Sheffield College is delighted to be working in partnership with Van Elle to deliver the Level 2 Piling Operations Standard. We now have the foundations to develop new programmes so there are exciting times ahead."

Van Elle invests heavily in nurturing future talent across the business, offering opportunities at NVQ (National Vocational Qualification) level-two through to level-six in areas such as business administration, digital marketing and civil engineering.

As part of the Piling Attendant apprenticeship, employees will be embedded within a piling rig gang, observing and supporting (where appropriate) key activities such as working as a slinger/signaller (rig attendant) and operating a concrete pump. This 18-24-month programme will see each apprentice gain the Level-two NVQ in Piling Operations.

The Future Rigger campaign commenced on Monday, February 3rd, encouraging companies within the piling and construction industry to invest in their staff and nurture future talent. A key part of the campaign will be a Future Riggers breakfast event this spring held at Van Elle's dedicated Training and Assessment centre. The event will include experiences from current apprentices, guest speakers from the wider Van Elle group and clients, along with up to date information regarding the Piling Attendant apprenticeship and future apprenticeships.

Stuart Boole, who is currently on Van Elle's Piling Attendant programme, said: "I'm 51 years of age now and some of the stuff I've learnt, 15 years ago I thought I'd never learn it. Now I'm getting all these qualifications under my belt and I walk around with my shoulders puffed up because I'm proud of myself."

Got a story? Email: duncan.moore@aspermontmedia.com