Apprentice to drive future career at Clements

(from left to right) Jim Longstaff (managing director) with Rhys Hutchinson (vehicle mechanic)

A young apprentice is celebrating after securing a permanent position at Coventry’s leading independent plant and tool hire company.

Rhys Hutchinson, who lives in Kenilworth, has completed a three-year vehicle mechanics apprenticeship to land a full-time role at Clements Equipment Hire in Torrington Avenue.

His achievement has prompted the company to invest in taking on additional apprentices during the next year.

The 19-year-old completed a number of academic and practical assessments to develop a wide range of skills and qualify as a HGV mechanic.

Rhys is the third apprentice to have been taken on by Clements Equipment Hire in the last eight years and is now set to complete a welding course to enhance his expertise.

He said: “I have always wanted to be a mechanic and the apprenticeship course offered by City College Coventry gave me the perfect opportunity.

“I was really pleased to secure a placement with Clements as I was able to learn how to repair and maintain a wide variety of commercial vehicles.

“It is great to be able to work on site and learn the theory at the same time as this boosts your experience and knowledge of the industry.

“Securing a permanent position at Clements will enable me to develop my skills further and I am looking forward to taking on new challenges and tasks in the future.”

Jim Longstaff, managing director at Clements Equipment Hire, said: “Rhys completed his college course with flying colours and continuously achieved high scores which we are extremely proud of.

“He has taken on board every challenge and task thrown at him and over the last two years, has become a valued member of the team.

“We were delighted to offer him a permanent position with the firm and will continue to support him with training opportunities in the future.

“It is due to the success of Rhys and other apprentices that we have also decided to invest in another apprenticeship programme and take on one or two new recruits in the next 12 months.”