NE company’s commitment to young recruits

One of the UK’s leading lightning protection companies, based in Darlington, has created a number of new opportunities for local young people as the company experiences continued growth.

Stone Technical Services has seen an increasing demand for its lightning protection services in the last year – counting the likes of St Paul’s Cathedral amongst its clients- and, as a result, has recruited two apprentices and a junior manager.

Beth Nicholls and Thomas Hill, both from Darlington, join Stone as apprentices in its lightning protection division to learn about the various aspects of design, installation and health and safety. Beth, 18, and Thomas, 17, have recently completed NVQ level 2 in electrical and mechanical maintenance as well as performing engineering operations qualifications. Both will continue their studies at South West Durham Training in Newton Aycliffe in September, funded by Stone.

Andy Hatton joined Stone as an on-site trainee engineer in October 2012. Having impressed managers with his skills, experience and enthusiasm, Stone has created a new role of junior manager in the lightning protection division for Andy who will be responsible for assessing and creating CAD Drawings, engineer reports, works programs, estimations and liaising with clients.

Stone Technical Services is a leader in the specialist field of lightning protection and is one of the most highly accredited in the industry as a member of the Association of Technical Lightning and Access Specialists (ATLAS), Lightning Conductor Engineers and also of the Steeplejack Training Group Association, operating to the highest compliance standards for lightning protection, BS EN 62305.

Stone, whose HQ are on Kellaw Road in Darlington, provides specialist lightning protection installation to help prevent damage to buildings caused by lightning strikes and the costly repairs associated with them and also to ensure that systems are compliant for insurance purposes.

With the new recruits, the company now employs a team of 35 with plans to create around five new jobs in 2013.

Stone is the approved contractor managing lightning protection on St Paul’s Cathedral and works with a variety of organisations such as local authorities and housing associations and on historic structures, churches, war memorials, schools, offices and car parks.

Speaking about the new recruits, MD of Stone Technical Services, Dave Stone, said: “We’re passionate about our commitment to training young people to the highest standards in this industry as our sector is crying out for new recruits. It’s so specialist and we need to ensure we have the next generation of experts in place. Our apprentices will take on a practical, hands-on role whilst we also support their studies.

“We’re also committed to providing long-term careers for people- our staff retention rates are testament to that. Andy showed such skill and expertise whilst working on-site for us that we created a new role within our lightning protection division to allow him to develop his career and be part of growing our business.”

As well as lightning protection, Stone Technical Services specialises in all aspects of high level and general maintenance, facilities management, steeplejack services and restoration and masonry refurbishment projects on churches, museums, clock towers, castles, spires and historic buildings.

The company has offices in Edinburgh, central London, Middlesex and Cheshire, in addition to its Darlington HQ.

Experts at the company work all over the UK with high profile organisations such as INEOS Plant Utilities at Seal Sands, Teesside Power Station, English Heritage, the National Trust, the NHS, British Waterways and Network Rail to carry out a range of maintenance, safety and conservation projects.