AB2000 Apprentices, Trainees & Staff Meet James Kelly MSP in front of our new Caterpillar bulldozer.
Our local MSP James Kelly visited us recently at our Glasgow plant hire head office. The Scottish Parliament being in summer recess, he is visiting as many of his constituents as possible. As AB2000 is one of the largest employers in his Rutherglen constituency he chose to come and met some of our apprentices and trainees. During his visit he also had a tour of our Glasgow depot and a look at our brand new Caterpillar D6N LGP bulldozer which had just been delivered.
Our plant mechanic apprentices, John & Cameron, are on a 4 year CITB Construction Skills Modern Apprenticeship course and undergo vocational training in both our workshop and college on month block release. They will study up to level 3 NVQ qualifications at the North Glasgow College. The course gives them training in a wide range of subjects working on both large and small plant. This is then followed up by mentoring with experienced mechanics in our workshops.
Our office based trainees, Hayley & Nicole, will be starting their HNC in Accountancy at City of Glasgow College in September and at the same time working in our accounts department doing administration and accountancy tasks. Locally based and originally employed thought the local “Routes to Work Scheme” we are keen our trainees progress and improve their skills to help the company develop internally.
The other Apprentice pictured is Baz from Walkerweld Engineering Ltd, an associate company based next door to AB2000, Baz and Ross (not present) are currently 3rd year welding fabricator apprentices at Walkerweld.
AB2000′s CEO Jim Houstoun said “AB2000 recognises there is a need to train the next generation, whether they be plant fitters or accounting staff and employing them is a good way to put them through college and train them in our way of working. We believe that investing in young people from the local area and training them will mean we are able to keep our business supplied with handpicked staff for years to come”

James Kelly MSP trys out our new Caterpillar D6N LGP Dozer whilst on a visit to AB2000 Depot in Glasgow to meet apprentices.