Builders Merchant Company Ltd (BMC) has announced the launch of its Graduate Commercial Trainee Programme, which gives young people the chance to develop a career in the industry.
The programme offers talented young people the opportunity to develop their skills in two main areas, sales and operations, allowing each person to specialise and develop their own area of expertise. At the end of the programme it is hoped that the candidates will be in a position to develop through the branch management structure or, alternatively, become a successful sales manager within the company.
BMC has already embarked upon the recruitment process, with new commercial trainee Adis Talic joining the team as a graduate of Sheffield Hallam University.
“I am proud to be a part of the new team being developed by the BMC and am incredibly enthusiastic for the opportunities that lie ahead of me,” said Mr Talic. “BMC has a positive outlook and a forward thinking group of individuals at the helm steering the company in the right direction allowing for growth, new ideas and always looking to improve, so I am particularly eager to join the business.”
“It is a fantastic opportunity for young people to establish themselves within the merchant industry and to develop a career suited to their own personal skill set,” said Duncan Thomson, BMC managing director.
“Being able to offer a training programme like this offers us the opportunity to secure talented youngsters who will help contribute to the growth strategy within the company, offering fresh new ideas which we may not have considered previously. It is exciting times for us and we are delighted to have Adis on board.”
Travis Perkins Demos Apprenticeship Model
Travis Perkins plc (TP) was able to showcase its award-winning apprenticeship scheme to a senior delegation from the Chinese government during a visit to the group’s Northampton head office in October.
Vice-minister for the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security of China, Tang Tao, was joined by his ministerial team and the head of education and skills at the Department for International Trade, Liu Jing, to find out how Travis Perkins has developed its scheme. The scheme currently has over 650 apprentices nationwide, working across a wide range of programmes, from retail and digital marketing to sales and operations.
The delegation was particularly interested to hear from Sam Crichton, an apprentice who was recently promoted to assistant branch manager for Benchmarx, part of the Travis Perkins Group. Mr Crichton told them about the modular-based development plan that has been tailored specifically to him and his branch needs, to build the relevant knowledge and skills and maximise the social, business and personal value of his apprenticeship.
“The apprenticeship system at Travis Perkins is impressive. Enterprises in China and the UK could strengthen their exchanges in apprenticeships,” said Tang Tao.
The visit was co-ordinated by WorldSkills UK in collaboration with The Education and Skills Funding Agency and Department for Education.
