Big Pit National Coal Museum’s Apprentice Scheme continues to go from strength to strength
Since its introduction, Big Pit’s Pit apprenticeship scheme has seen 15 apprentices trained in Electrical, Engineering and Guiding. The scheme is part of Big Pit’s succession planning to ensure visitors can continue to enjoy and learn about the history of mining in.
With 2 more new apprentices due to start within the next few weeks, the development and growth of the scheme has allowed those with many years’ experience to share their technical skills and experience ensuring safe public access to the historic underground workings and also the ability to share Wales’s industrial story and history with future generations.
Jez Williams, Mine Mechanical Apprentice, from Blaenavon said: “My Great Grandfather started working at Big Pit exactly one hundred years to the week that I started. I applied for the role as I enjoy fixing things and I was inspired by a STEM presentation we had in school from some of the Mechanical and Learning teams at Big Pit. I live locally and I want to help keep the Welsh heritage alive.”
Adrian Hawkins, Miner Guide and Banksman said: “I wanted a career change and, as I had a degree in history and grew up around mining, the apprenticeship opportunity at Big Pit was my ideal job.”
The scheme is also part of Amgueddfa Cymru’s ongoing commitment to improving the traditional skills base in Wales.