Trailer firm’s apprentice drive success

A DRIVE to recruit new apprentices to trailer and body manufacturer Cartwright Group has been hailed a success.

Scores of young hopefuls attended the first batch of assessment days held at the company’s Altrincham, Greater Manchester factory in its quest to recruit 40 apprentices by the end of this month.

Human resources manager Julie Holden said company management had met with a number of high calibre candidates, many of whom are expected to start their apprenticeships in the coming weeks.

But she said there were still some vacancies on the two-year scheme and urged anyone interested in an apprenticeship with the company, whose manufacturing portfolio stretches back more than 60 years, to get in touch.

Earlier this year the apprenticeship scheme received its first female engineers through the door. Julie said Cartwright was particularly keen for other ladies to join.

Speaking of the assessment days she added: “We had an excellent response, with attendees coming from Stockport and from further afield.

“Those who attended took part in a series of assessments designed to give them a flavour of life at Cartwright.

“These included workshop activities, teamwork activities and theoretical skills. We also took them on a tour of the whole factory and this in particular went down very well – the chance to see first-hand where they could be working, what they could be doing and who they could be working with, and to experience a first-hand glimpse of every stage of the manufacturing process.”

Held in partnership with Cartwright’s newly-appointed training provider SETA (Stockport Engineering Training Association) this was the first in a series of apprentice recruitment events between now and November.  

Cartwright is also planning to take on another 30 to 40 apprentices in September, with a further 20 to 30 planned for November.