Star Scaffolding celebrates triple triumph as apprenticeship provider
West Bromwich-based Star Scaffolding are celebrating after securing two prestigious awards, and being recognised as runner-up, following the results of their successful Apprenticeship training programme.
The business was acknowledged for their work with the Construction College Midlands, which forms part of Walsall College, and was named winner of the Medium Employer of the Year at the Ladder for the Black Country Apprenticeship Awards 2024 in November.
Apprentice, Harrison Mapley was also recognised and was awarded the Construction and Property Apprentice of the Year at the same event which was held at West Bromwich Albion’s The Hawthorns Stadium.
The awards, which are run by the Express & Star in partnership with the Ladder for the Black Country, celebrate the very best of the region’s learners, training providers, educators and employers.
Star Scaffolding proudly invests in their workforce, helping bridge the industry's skills gap by upskilling staff and investing in the future.
Emma Chard, Skills and Training Manager at Star Scaffolding said: “We nurture our young people by providing a solid support network that encourages all apprentices to learn valuable skills, knowledge and behaviours. Our Apprenticeship programme is dependent on teamwork and to be recognised for our training is testament to the dedication of all employees.
“Star’s apprenticeship drive is an essential part of our growth strategy as an expanding business. We are committed to providing training opportunities to our colleagues and are proud to invest more than £20,000 a year in people development. Educating our team is crucial to our success,” Emma added.
Harrison, who completed a scaffolding apprenticeship with the company last year having joined in late 2021, was also recognised as the runner-up for the Apprentice of the Year at the prestigious National Access & Scaffolding Confederation (NASC) ScaffEx24 Scaffolding Excellence Awards.
“I really enjoyed doing an apprenticeship with Star. It taught me all the essential skills I need to work in the scaffolding industry while earning, and I now want to undertake more training to help me progress further.
"The support and guidance from my mentors at Star Scaffolding have been instrumental in my development. This recognition motivates me to continue striving for excellence in my career and I look forward to what the future holds,” said Harrison.
Star aims to retain its apprentices within the business once they have completed training. Star has staff members who are still with the business more than 10 years after completing apprenticeships.
The company is committed to making its training accessible to people who might otherwise struggle to access opportunities, including neurodivergent individuals and ex-offenders.
Each year, Star celebrates its Trainee Scaffolder of the Year and Apprentice of the Year at its Leon Bell Awards, with each winner receiving £200 in vouchers.
In 2024, the winners included Luke Bayliss as Scaffolder of the Year, Trainee Scaffolder of the Year was awarded to Conna Denholm, and Arron Colmain was announced as Apprentice of the Year.
For more information about Star Scaffolding and their apprenticeship programs, please visit star-scaffolding.co.uk.
