McAuliffe partners with City of Wolverhampton College to create local training and job opportunities

Bilston-based environmental contractor, McAuliffe Group, has teamed up with City of Wolverhampton College to train the next generation of plant operators.

The 51-year-old family business will take on graduates from the college’s recently launched Plant Training Centre, giving them on-the-job experience and the chance to secure a full-time position within its 100-strong site team.

This partnership forms part of ambitious plans by McAuliffe to create over 200 local jobs by 2027. Alongside its work with the college, the business runs its own apprenticeship programme, and has signed up to the government’s Kickstart Scheme – which aims to get unemployed 16-to-24-year-olds into long-term employment.

McAuliffe will welcome its first graduate plant operators in July, and has committed to training at least 10 college students each year.

John McAuliffe, Group Managing Director at McAuliffe Group, said: “Talented plant operators are critical to the success of the construction industry, yet it’s an area where we’re seeing a real shortage of skills.

“City of Wolverhampton College is doing a fantastic job of training local people, with businesses like ours able to give them the hands-on experience they need to achieve long-term employment.

“As early adopters of intelligent plant, we have the skills and experience to train apprentices to become safe and highly competent operators. Our aim is to take this partnership further, creating our own facility to train students on larger pieces of plant, and delivering more local jobs.”

Mike Dixon at City of Wolverhampton College’s Plant Training Centre, which launched in March 2020 and trains local people aged 18 and above, added: “Working with a sector lead like McAuliffe has enabled us to give our new trainees the insight needed to gain and keep employment in plant operations. The support from McAuliffe means we can give students the skills and knowledge to progress successfully.”