Hitachi Construction Machinery UK Ltd (HCMUK) has revealed the launch of its new apprenticeship program. HCMUK’s first intake will consist of five apprentices, who will be based at the company’s head office and product support centre both located in the North East. The roles will range from engineering through to business administration, and HCMUK plans to expand on the number of apprentices across other sites and departments over the coming years.

HCMUK have partnered with Gateshead College and Zenith Training to deliver the apprenticeships across the Tyne & Wear region.

Apprenticeships offer a route to gaining qualifications through further education whilst working in an organisation, providing a blend of real-world experience, technical on the job training, and academic learning.

David Roberts, CEO at HCMUK commented: “HCMUK has been enhancing its learning and development programs across the business over the past few years, and I am delighted that we are now at a stage where we can introduce an apprenticeship program so we can grow our own talent in addition to developing the rest of the team. I am looking forward to welcoming our first cohort later this year, and excited to see them grow over the coming months and years.”

Angela Anderson, Managing Director at Zenith Training, commented: “We’re really excited about our partnership with Hitachi… Working with such a positive and forward-thinking business is always a pleasure, but on a project like this – when they are providing excellent opportunities for people to develop and grow with their organisation – it’s particularly rewarding. Zenith Training are passionate about delivering wraparound training and support to all our apprentices and we feel that Hitachi’s approach to the development of future talent through apprenticeships showcases the best of what apprenticeships can offer – both to individuals and employers!”

Ivan Jepson, Director of Business Development at Gateshead College, said: “We’re very happy to be working in partnership with HCMUK to recruit and train the company’s very first engineering apprentices as part of its workforce development programme. Apprenticeships lie at the heart of our delivery and we’re working with HCMUK to ensure our training meets their business needs and apprentices gain the experience, knowledge, training and support they need to succeed in their role.”