Chloe Rimmer has been a revelation since she joined Ameon as an assistant site manager, as part of the PlanBEE higher level skills programme, which prepares people for a career in technical and professional roles within building services, architecture, engineering and construction/site management.
As the first placement for Ameon in this innovative programme, developed by Gateshead College and Ryder Architecture – and now also rolled out in Manchester and London – Chloe is working with our team on the prestigious Rodney Street development in Manchester, where Ameon’s contract manager, Tom Scott has described the 18-year-old Mancunian from Irlam as: “a brilliant addition to the team.”
Tom waxed lyrical about Chloe’s contribution, commenting: “Coming from an academic background, she seems really intuitive, picks things up remarkably quickly, and in what seems the blink of an eye, seems to understand the way we work, and our processes.
“As our inaugural high-level management apprentice placement, Chloe is proving to be an excellent ambassador for the PlanBEE programme. It’s a pity she will leave us at the end of her four-month stint here, as she rotates to another sponsor company to hone her skills in another discipline, but if her attributes are anything to go by, then we can look forward to our second management apprentice joining us in January, with every confidence that they will make as good a contribution to our business.”
From Chloe’s perspective, the placement with Ameon has been a great introduction to management on site. She adds: “As my first placement, Ameon has given me a valuable insight into the day to day workings of a major construction project, and I have found the building services engineering element really interesting. I know there is a shortage of female personnel in construction management, so I hope others might consider the path I’ve taken with PlanBEE, because it’s a fascinating industry sector in which to learn and develop, and the career opportunities are great for all young people.”
Quite apart from the benefit of ‘earning whilst learning,’ PlanBEE apprentices will find the programme a successful gateway to a career and perhaps a full degree apprenticeship with one of the many companies engaged in this novel form of education and skills development. Currently, in addition to gaining HNC/HND qualifications, 98% of PlanBEE trainees find full time employment with sponsoring companies at the end of their studies: setting them on the way to a professional career in some of the UK’s leading industry sectors.
