C&A Pumps offers a large range of pumps from small cellar drainers to large flood defence pumps. As well as a comprehensive selection of pumps and accessories, they also supply packaged sewage pumping stations and treatment plants, and a range of rainwater harvesting equipment.

In its 27 year history the company has steadily expanded from pump sales and repair in a small unit inDurham, to a wide range of mechanical and electrical services together with pump sales and repair, metal fabrication and health & safety consultancy and training.

C&A Pumps is a long time supporter of apprentices and has picked up various accolades a long the way for the support they have shown to young people in the region. The company was also recognised by the MoD at a special ceremony to reward their commitment to recruiting and training ex forces personnel.

C&A Pumps employs four apprentices through the Tees Valley Apprenticeship Programme (TVAP) as well as an additional four apprentices taken on in 2011. The initial TVAP fund was to be used by the company to expand on apprentice recruitment policy.   

With the additional four apprentices employed through TVAP, the company soon noticed that it was beginning to put a strain on the management and production teams. The solution would be to train a recently qualified adult apprentice to become the company's on site mentor. This would then mean that their chargeable productivity rate would need to be reduced by approximately 60% in this new role as a mentor.

With the second round of TVAP funding secured, the company was able to put their newly appointed mentor through a mentoring training programme and the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health Train the Trainer course. Additional monies secured the purchase of specialist tools and additional AutoCAD licenses. The company has also gone on to set aside a training day each month to allow apprentices to complete assignments and portfolio work with the support of the mentor and wider management team.

Alan Roberts, Managing Director of the Durham base company said,'without the second round of funding from TVAP we would have struggled to maintain the same level of direct support we have shown to apprentices in the past. The fact that we now have a dedicated team member to mentor apprentices has put us in a really advantageous position.'

Recognised commitment to training

C&A Pumps Ltd has also received the Civil Engineering Contractors Association (North East), Training Company of the Year 2011 Award. 

Photo: A proud moment for C&A Pump as they receive their SaBRE certificate from the Government. (Alan Roberts pictured)