Member Article

Apprentices see the fruits of their labour

New recruits at Prudhoe’s largest employer swapped the shopfloor for the great outdoors to mark National Apprenticeship Week and showcase their environmental credentials.

Eight youngsters, recently recruited onto the mill’s award-winning apprenticeship scheme, worked with the Friends of Eastwoods Park charity to tidy up flower beds and plant dozens of fruit trees around the town’s popular community sports ground – originally created in 1918 as the West Wylam Pit’s welfare field.

Project manager Russ Greig said it was important the park – that has won a prestigious Green Flag Award for the last three years – continues to demonstrate improvements and increase biodiversity.

“We’re delighted to welcome the Essity apprentices, and the contribution they’ve made to Eastwoods Park has saved the Friends of Eastwoods Park many man-hours in achieving such a difference.

“The trees – donated by Northumberland County Council – are a much-needed boost to improving tree numbers and biodiversity within the park, and also a great way to provide fruit that our community can use.

“Since the creation of the charity in 2018, we have invested a vast amount of time and money in helping to transform Eastwoods Park for the benefit of our community.”

Government minister and local MP Guy Opperman was also at Essity during National Apprenticeship Week.

"It was a pleasure to visit the mill again – where I was also able to see the exciting new wastepaper recycling plant taking shape at Unifibres,” he said.  “Essity deserves a huge amount of credit for providing high-quality opportunities to so many local young people.

“I was also impressed at how valued the apprentices are as integral members of the wider team, and the passion and hunger they have to learn on the job and develop their skills was evident. 

“With over 7,000 local apprenticeships in total created since I was elected in 2010, there are plenty of opportunities out there. I would encourage anyone looking to gain world-class qualifications while earning on the job to get in contact with the friendly team at the mill in Prudhoe.”

Essity apprentices are pictured with (L-R) county councillor Gordon Stewart, Russ Greig and Essity's lead electrical trainer Mark Horner

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by publicrelations consultancy.com .