Coaching – JMAC managing director Luis McCarthy with apprentice quantity surveyor Ben Jones in the firm ’ s Stockton office .
TEES FIRM JMAC INSISTS ON 20 APPRENTICES A YEAR
BUILDING
If you want to build a career in construction , JMAC Group could be the firm for you .
Stockton-based JMAC comprises five unique brands . Each specialises in specific aspects of construction – scaffolding , industrial services , asset integrity , contracting services and hire and sales .
Managing director Luis McCarthy ’ s grandfather James founded the company in 1981 .
In 2011 , Luis took over and set about developing the different strands of the business .
And he says apprentices have been a crucial part of that journey .
YOUR FUTURE
But one thing that stays the same is Luis ’ s insistence that around 10 per cent of the workforce must be apprentices , so he targets having 20 a year .
He explained : “ Investing in careers is huge for us .
“ A lot of employers look at apprentices as a risk , but I look at them as the future of our business and the industry .”
Luis got his work experience helping out his grandad .
But now he feels apprenticeships – whether in the commercial team or out on sites - are vital for the future of JMAC Group . on site – the best of both worlds .
“ A classroom ’ s OK but you need to be doing the job too – that ’ s where you learn about it and I ’ m really enjoying it .”
And that , says Luis , is what apprenticeships with JMAC are all about .
He said : “ With an apprentice , you ’ ve got a blank canvas . It ’ s someone you can start from scratch with and set the expectation and quality levels , but without any bad habits .
“ It ’ s a huge part of our future business plan – investing in young people to give them opportunities in the various sectors of the business .”
Today , JMAC Group employs just under 200 people , although that varies between 150 and 220 . They work in head office or on sites around the UK .
They do apprenticeships well , too . One of their scaffolding apprentices , Louis Peebles , of Norton , was National Access & Scaffolding ( NASC ) apprentice of the year in 2022 !
Ben Jones from Stockton is just starting his second year at JMAC as part of his four-year quantity surveying degree with Northumbria University .
He told Tees Skills : “ I wanted a job where I could do some office work but also get out
And he urges young people to consider a construction industry career .
He said : “ If I look at a young scaffolding apprentice now , it ’ ll take them two to three years to become qualified , but these guys are taking home £ 50k to £ 60k a year .
“ It ’ s not easy – they ’ re out in all weathers and it can be quite physical , but it ’ s quite diverse – we work everywhere so they get a lot of exposure and experience .
“ But there are very lucrative career paths for young people who have the drive and ambition to progress .”
Learning on the job – JMAC apprentice scaffolder Riley Bircham on site at Holtby Walk in the Park End area of Middlesbrough .
To find out more , visit jmacgroupltd . com 63