M&J Evans has welcomed 20 new groundworks apprentices to their business who will be embarking on the M&J Groundworks Apprenticeship Programme – the UK’s first bespoke groundworks apprenticeship, in partnership with NHBC.

The programme was launched at the National School and College Leavers Festival, which took place at the Birmingham NEC in November 2024, where M&J was an exhibitor. The programme attracted huge interest with over 50 apprentices signing up for an initial 4-week taster programme.

Judith Marriott, Group People Director at M&J, explained: “We first invited the candidates to take part in a 4-week taster programme. This was to give us an opportunity to get to know them and make sure they were right for the programme, but also a chance for our candidates to experience the industry and make sure it was something they wanted to progress with before committing long-term. During that 4-week programme they faced a number of challenges to overcome”.

Marriott continued, “I have been so impressed with our candidates so far and I’m delighted that 20 of them will embark on the full programme. Welcome to the M&J Family!”.

The programme is uniquely tailored to M&J, offering apprentices hands-on experience working on an active M&J site. Delivered in collaboration with NHBC, candidates will gain a Level 2 Groundworks Contractor qualification upon completion.

The programme will typically last 14-16 months, combining practical on-site training, classroom-based instruction at M&J’s training hub in the West Midlands, and hands-on learning at the NHBC training facility. Each apprentice is paired with a mentor, ensuring both educational guidance and personal support throughout the programme.

Judith Marriott concluded, “This is just the first group in what we hope will become a long and fruitful programme for M&J. This is a hugely important initiative for us – it’s not just about introducing new talent into our business but it’s also about attracting people to the industry as a whole.”

To find out more about the M&J Apprentice Programme visit https://mjevansconstruction.co.uk/mj-apprenticeships/