Whitehead works with Building and Engineering Services Training Ltd (BEST) and JTL who deliver training for its apprentices.

Rhys said: “We have worked with the two training providers for a number of years. We have a very good working relationship with the two training providers. We know what we want from our apprentices and they consistently deliver.”

Former Llanwern steelworks apprentice electrician Christine Rainsford, from Cwmbran, is electrical training officer for Wales with JTL.

Christine, who spent almost 20 years working at Llanwern steelworks, said: “Apprenticeships demand a great deal from the training provider the individual and also the employer. When all these things come together we have a prefect solution.

“Employers and their senior staff have to buy in to the ethos of an apprenticeship and be prepared to put in the time to ensure for example the apprentice completes all his tasks, fills in his log book and receives the support and encouragement which is a vital ingredient for success. Whitehead is an exemplary employer in this respect.”

Mechanical services training provider Doug Mullinger, of BEST, said: “Whitehead has years of experienced in bringing apprentices through and fully understand the vital role of nurturing and continuous support plays in the development of the apprentice over the four years this in itself pays dividends as the fully trained apprentice is more likely to want to remain with the business and develop their career and hone their skills than perhaps looking elsewhere for the career progression after completing their apprenticeship.”

Whitehead operations director Mike Parry said: “We are fully committed to apprenticeships and have built the success of our business in bringing home grown talent through year on year.

“Several of our recent apprentices have been recognised for their commitment and achievements and have been recognised by industry recognised bodies such as BEST, JTL, B&ES and the Quality Skills Alliance (QSA). Whitehead has also recently been recognised as a company for its contribution to training by leading industry bodies."

Mike said: “Whitehead continues to follow its ethos of train and retain the best young people as our best way of achieving our objectives and to provide long term, sustained high value employment.

Whitehead directors and management are convinced that apprenticeships offer a fantastic opportunity for young people to gain skills and experience working and earning. Apprenticeships offer people life long skills by working alongside experienced tradesmen and engineers while gaining trade specific qualifications to NVQ level 3 at college.

“The apprenticeship route is just the beginning for some and provides an opportunity to continue learning and obtain a degree and perhaps then move towards a career in design or management.

“A modern apprenticeship in mechanical and electrical engineering building services covers four years of working and training in a real life environment and during that time, as well as receiving top class training and experience, an individual can earn in the region of £75,000 over their first four years of work.”

Whitehead apprentices are currently employed on a number of large and high-profile projects across Wales and the West including: Friars Walk; Cardiff Ice Arena, Bristol Aiport extension, Port Talbot station refurbishment, Cardiff Central railway station refurbishment, Swansea University science and innovation campus, Bae Baglan School, Ysgol Bro Dinefwr School, and the faculty of business and law teaching faculty at the University of the West of England, Bristol.