The Cornwall Group has been nominated in the Large Employer of the Year category in the Cornwall Apprenticeship Awards.
Chair Mark Mitchell explained why the group holds apprenticeships in such high regard: “We have many colleagues in senior positions, including two managing directors, who started out on an apprenticeship scheme. It’s this opportunity to progress beyond an initial apprenticeship and to continue to develop their career with us which we believe makes our programme stand out.”
The group says its Apprenticeship Journey is an occupational competency training and assessment programme designed to highlight and promote a career in the glass and business industry, and to develop new skills and careers. It’s a key element in the company’s strategy for growth post-Covid, as well as bringing a new generation into the IGU and glass processing industry through wide variety of roles from production through to business administration.
Maisie Simpson, pictured, who is doing an 18-month apprenticeship in Marketing through Truro College, is one of 20 people on Cornwall Group’s apprenticeship programme. She said: “I’m really loving working at Cornwall Glass; the whole experience is really eye opening.
“I researched the company before I started, but I had no idea how big it is, and how many opportunities there are within the company. I can see real routes where I could progress, and I know that previous apprentices have made it to senior management level.”
Another recent apprentice is Kieran James, which is currently doing a Level 3 in Glass Processing.
“Both the college and the team leaders are really supportive,” he said. “They ask me what I want to do next, or what job would I like to try, and l like that. I’m not the sort of person to ask to try a different job so it’s nice they encourage me.”
The awards are hosted by Truro and Penwith College. Winners across 16 categories will be announced at the gala awards dinner presented by Holly Day and Neil Caddy from Pirate FM on Friday November 18.
