Our Magnificent Seven show the value of apprenticeships during National Apprenticeship Week

This year’s National Apprenticeship Week theme is upon us championing how businesses equip employees with future-ready skills – something we all know all about at Sterling – we have always invested in apprentices and seen them go onto thrive across all our divisions.

Proof that it’s a healthy investment can be found in the following ‘magnificent seven’ employees.

Jack Stewart, 30, Senior Estimator - Projects Division

Jack joined Sterling in 2009 as part of a Knowsley Council apprentice scheme and now holds a key senior role with us.

Most of his time at Sterling has been spent in an estimating role and he is now the senior estimator, responsible for tendering for and securing all our larger projects.

Jack recently completed a five-year part time degree, securing a 2:1 in quantity surveying to broaden his knowledge of the industry.

Elizabeth Roberts, 16, Finance Apprentice Ledger Clerk

Elizabeth Roberts joined Sterling in November 2021. Libby is a finance apprentice and wants to pressure a career in accountancy. She attends colleague every Tuesday evening studying her level 2 AAT and working full time in the office.

Elizabeth left High School after achieving 8 great GCSE’s and working a part time job close to home.

Rachel Gibney, 21, Purchase Ledger Clerk

Rachel started her apprenticeship with Sterling in 2019 joining the Finance team studying Accountancy.

She finished School in 2016 achieving 9 GCSEs and progressing straight onto her level 2 Accounting and Business Diploma in The City of Liverpool College while working part-time in McDonald’s.

She is currently studying her Advanced Diploma in Accounting Level 3 and hopes to complete this in the new year and progress further in her career and in Sterling.

We also have four apprentice electricians: Anthony Tosney, 20; Nicholas Long, 21; Michael Dunn, 19; and Jack Bailey, 29.

Jack said: “I left college and wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. I started bricklaying but when I heard about the opportunity of an apprenticeship with Sterling from a family friend I was interested. It gives me the chance to become fully trained while I work on the job and earn a wage.

“I spend my time split between work and college and it’s great because in college I learn all the theory, the regulations, the health and safety aspects of the job, then I can go out and put these into practice at work and see how they work in real life situations.

“The first year was quite full on with lots of exams but I’ve settled into my second year, and I know the direction I’m heading in and that I’ll soon be a fully trained electrician.

“I love working for Sterling as I’m part of a great team and get to travel all over the UK, just this last month I’ve already been to Scotland and London. I’m really pleased that Sterling has already offered me a job once my apprenticeship finishes so I can stay in the region and continue my career in such a great company.”

In the case of Michael Dunn, he originally joined us in July 2021 as a ground worker apprentice, after briefly attending colleague to train to be an electrician. Michael decided he would like to trail the groundwork division but A few weeks into his groundwork trail he confirmed that becoming an electrician was actually what he wanted. Sterling supported Michaels’s decision and was there to give him the opportunities to try out each of the sectors.

Sterling will continue to invest in apprenticeships – as evidenced when our MD Paul and colleagues Hollie Earley, Head of Maintenance; and Non-Executive Business Development Director, John Flaherty paid a recently paid a visit to All Saints Catholic High School in Kirkby.

After being impressed with the students’ interest and questions Paul confirmed that up to five students will be offered work placements.