More apprentices join NE high risers

A Darlington company is continuing with its commitment to young people by creating another two opportunities at its HQ.

Already this year, Stone Technical Services has taken on five new members of staff- including three apprentices- and has now recruited another two to help with its planned growth. Thanks to his company’s commitment to creating opportunities for young people, MD Dave Stone has also been invited to advise the North East organisation ‘Foundation for Jobs’ about recruiting apprentices.

Daron Deighton, from Catterick, joins Stone as a stonemason working in the company’s restoration division. Daron has many years’ experience in masonry conservation having worked for various regional companies.

And 22-year-old year old Ben Snell, from Darlington, will work in Stone’s maintenance division as a bricklayer. Ben’s experience lies in the field of bricklaying and construction and is part Stone’s ongoing efforts to train and educate the next generation of conservation specialists.

Stone Technical Services specialises in all aspects of high level and general maintenance, facilities management, steeplejack services, lightning protection and restoration and masonry refurbishment projects on churches, museums, clock towers, castles, spires and historic buildings with offices in Edinburgh, central London, Middlesex and Cheshire, in addition to its Darlington HQ.

Earlier this year, Stone recruited two apprentices to its lightning protection division to learn about the various aspects of design, installation and health and safety. Beth Nicholls and Thomas Hill, both from Darlington, are studying at South West Durham Training in Newton Aycliffe in September, funded by Stone.

With the recent new recruits, the company now employs a team of 37 with plans to create around five more jobs in 2013.

MD of Stone Technical Services, Dave Stone, said: “Both my brother and I started as apprentices before setting out on our own to launch our company. I strongly believe more opportunities need to be created for young people in all sorts of industries. However, many of the skills in our sector can only be learnt with hands-on experience and that’s what we provide. All our apprentices are trained to the highest standards, surpassing set guidelines, so that they are equipped with the necessary abilities to work on some of our high profile clients such as St Paul’s Cathedral, Lumley Castle and Teesside Power Station.”

www.stonetechnicalgroup.co.uk