Northumberland-headquartered Merit, the UK’s leading industrialised construction and digital manufacturing specialist, has reinforced its commitment to professional development by recruiting an additional 18 new apprentices, who have begun their careers at Merit’s Cramlington-based smart factory.
10 Multi-skilled Engineering apprentices have been recruited through Northumberland College and 8 Electrical apprentices have been recruited through Northumberland Skills who deliver on behalf of Northumberland Council. Through this comprehensive programme, Merit aims to equip its apprentices with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in their respective fields.
Merit is a leading specialist in the manufactured delivery of high-quality, technically complex facilities for the healthcare, biotech, pharmaceutical, education and battery tech sectors.
With the latest cohort, Merit’s apprenticeship programme now boasts an impressive total of 95 participants. This programme, which was launched in 2013, not only provides valuable training and experience but also guarantees job security for individuals upon completion.
Merit’s commitment to professional development is a testament to its dedication to nurturing young talent within the construction industry. By investing in apprenticeships, the company ensures a skilled workforce for the future while contributing to the growth and success of the sector.
Through day-to-day mentoring, exposure to specialist skills and college attendance, apprentices will have the opportunity to support across Merit’s projects. Merit’s impressive portfolio of projects includes Berwick’s new £35m Community Hospital, a therapy-led rehabilitation unit on site at Norwich Community Hospital and Woking Community Hospital’s new Community Diagnostic Hub (CDH).
April Twentyman, HR Manager at Merit said: “I am delighted to officially welcome the 18 new apprentices to Merit. Our apprenticeship programme is designed to ensure that each individual receives the necessary training, mentorship and experience so that they feel equipped to start their careers upon completion of their programme. Apprentices are valuable members of our team, and each of them will contribute towards the long-term growth and success of the company.”
Speaking of kick-starting her career as an Electrical Apprentice at Merit, Abby Campbell said: “When the opportunity came up to start an apprenticeship at Merit, I jumped at the chance. I believe the way Merit operates is fascinating and having already worked within the business at Head Office, I knew I always wanted to work more behind the scenes at its Factory. I am so grateful to Merit for giving me this opportunity, not only am I a Female entering a male-dominated industry, but I am also older than the average apprentice as well. So far, I have worked closely with the Electrical team and to be able to learn from some exceptional mentors is an amazing experience for me.”
Iain Nixon, Vice Principal Partnership and Business Solutions at Northumberland College said: “Northumberland College is delighted to be working in partnership with Merit. Merit truly understands the value that apprenticeships can bring to their company and sees them as a great way of developing their future workforce. The new cohort of Engineering Technician apprentices are now working in an organisation that will support them to gain the essential technical skills they need to embark on a successful career in offsite construction and digitalised manufacturing.”
Alyn Carr, Head of Curriculum at Northumberland Skills, commented: “Apprenticeships are a fantastic way for learners to gain real-world experience while continuing their education.
“We’re thrilled to see our apprentices take this next step with Merit, a company that shares our commitment to upskilling and nurturing new talent. Together, we’re helping to build a skilled workforce ready to meet the demands of the modern construction industry.”
Merit’s innovative product-based solutions, including FLEXI POD® and UltraPOD®, have revolutionised the construction industry, specifically within the healthcare, biotech and pharmaceutical sectors where Merit’s offering guarantees high-quality facility delivery at pace and scale. These cutting-edge solutions offer 75%-95% pre-manufactured value, significantly reducing construction time compared to traditional methods.