Pelican training 20 apprentice technicians

Pelican Engineering is training 20 apprentices within its 160-strong Castleford workforce, despite the disruption of the pandemic. It has recruited six apprentices in 2021 and plans to recruit a further six young people next year. Three of the trainees are working in the company’s Pelican Bus and Coach division.

The 102-year old company, which supplies Yutong coaches and buses among other commercial vehicles, says it is continuing to see sustained growth and is expanding its team.

“Working with some of the world’s leading commercial vehicle suppliers, we have been able to develop a first-class training programme, including some apprentices being trained on electric commercial vehicles” – Paul Bugg, group services manager at Pelican

Paul Bugg, group services manager at Pelican, adds: “Working with some of the world’s leading commercial vehicle suppliers, we have been able to develop a first-class training programme, including some apprentices being trained on electric commercial vehicles. We have also adapted to offer apprenticeships within our zero-emission passenger vehicles division having this year appointed our first apprentice to train on our state-of-the-art Yutong electric buses.

“It’s great to see so many young people with enthusiasm and potential coming into the business and also choosing to make a career with us – around 70% of our apprentice technicians go on to secure permanent positions with Pelican.”

Richard Crump, managing director of Pelican Engineering, said: “We started our training scheme almost 20 years ago, recognising that, with the shortage of skilled labour in the sector, we needed to be proactive and develop people with the skills we required to secure the future of the business.”