GAP Hire Solutions is reinforcing its commitment to its apprenticeship programme during Scottish Apprenticeship Week by meeting current and future apprentices across the country.

The equipment hirer currently employs over 70 apprentices across its UK depot network, with at least 30 of these in Scotland. Last year, the company joined the 5 per cent Club, making a pledge that at least 5 per cent of the workforce will be apprentices. GAP is already exceeding this target at 8 per cent.

The company also recently picked up the Apprenticeship Award at the s1 Recruitment Awards in Glasgow and will soon launch a brand new Hire Desk Operative apprenticeship that will be piloted across the UK and offer trainees the chance to learn and work at one of GAP’s busy hire desks.

GAP is taking on more apprentices than ever before due to substantial growth in the past two years, This has the seen the creation of five new divisions, namely Survey & Safety Hire, Welfare Services, Event Services, Vehicle Hire and London Tools & Access, which all complement the company’s existing divisions which include Plant & Tool Hire, Non-Mechanical Plant and Lifting Hire & Sales.

Events like Scottish Apprenticeship Week allow GAP to engage with potential future apprentices. Four members of staff will attend events at the National Construction College this week to talk to young people about the opportunities available in working, learning and gaining a qualification at GAP.

GAP’s joint managing director Douglas Anderson visited the company’s Falkirk Plant & Tool depot to meet GAP apprentice Darren Smith.

Darren has been an apprentice at the depot for two and a half years, where he has been getting hands on experience in fixing plant machinery on a daily basis. He also studies at the National Construction College in Inchinnan and will graduate in 2016 with an SVQ in Plant Mechanics.

Douglas said: “Apprentices are the lifeblood of our industry and I am delighted to see talented young people such as Darren flourish in his role. Apprentices bring lots of enthusiasm, are very willing to learn everything they can about the hire industry and have lots of great ideas. We will continue with our commitment to employing at least one apprentice in every one of our depots as we grow and I look forward to watching them develop within the business.”

Darren added: “I really enjoy my apprenticeship at GAP as I am working daily on fixing complex plant machinery. Everyone at the Falkirk depot has been really friendly and welcoming and I feel like a part of the team. I am excited about graduating with my SVQ and taking the next steps in my career with GAP.”