DCG Success Stories

Derby-based construction group G F Tomlinson has been taking on Derby College Group apprentices for several decades and values its long-established and successful relationship with DCG.

The company, which also offers higher apprenticeships, currently has nine apprentices studying at DCG in business administration, bricklaying and in professional construction areas such as site management and quantity surveying.

G F Tomlinson construction director Kevin Dodds said: “We’ve got a great apprenticeship track record with Derby College.

“Our company, which was founded in 1892 has worked collaboratively with DCG over many years.

“We’ve got some good young people who are showing a great deal of promise. G F Tomlinson puts a lot of store in apprentices.

“They work well for us and we get some really good employees through that  process.”

Traditionally Tomlinson apprentices did not start their studies with Derby College until they had joined the firm and begun day release, but that situation is changing.

Kevin added: “Increasingly we’re getting to know the young people before they join us – while they are studying at Derby College or even still at school doing work experience.

“We took on one teenage apprentice recently who was doing his level 1 bricklaying at school. I got to know him after I was invited into college to judge a bricklaying competition.

“Even more recently we’ve formed a relationship with DCG to offer students work experience as part of the new T levels, so that’s another route to apprenticeships.”

Professional construction apprentices with GF Tomlinson often move on to higher or degree apprenticeships, progressing from Derby College to Nottingham Trent University or the University of Derby.

Employing apprentices has, said Kevin, impacted on the organisation ‘tremendously’ and in many different ways.

He said: “You’ve got to bring young people into your business. They have enthusiasm, ambition and often excellent IT skills.

“Also, people leave and move on to pastures new, while others retire, so it pays to build and maintain a strong skilled workforce by bringing in people early.

“Recruiting apprentices gives those young people who’ve been with you a while the chance to mentor the new starters too.

“That’s rewarding for them as it helps them grow in stature and try things they haven’t done before, such as public speaking.”

G F Tomlinson Group employs around 250 people and undertakes construction projects in a wide range of sectors, including Education, Civic, Commercial, Industrial, Healthcare, Leisure, Retail, Restoration and Residential across the Greater Midlands region.