Winsford-raised Ben Bratherton, a graduate of The Prince’s Trust’s ‘Team’ programme, has joined the workforce of Tiger Trailers on Road One of the Industrial Estate following his successful work placement with the major firm at the end of last year.
Tiger Trailers, one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of articulated trailers and rigid HGV bodywork, supports The Prince’s Trust by providing career enrichment opportunities for the young people that the charity works with, opening their minds to a future in manufacturing through hands-on experience.
Ben, 19, tasted a variety of roles across Tiger Trailers’ business during his placement, from reception where he greeted visitors and supported sales alongside Jackie, and the consumables store office where he and Paula kept the shop floor team fed with tools, materials and PPE, through to Stage 5 in the factory where kits are assembled to enable efficient production lines.
After subsequently being offered employment with Tiger Trailers following his placement and graduation through The Prince’s Trust’s programme, Ben has joined Stage 5 as a full-time member of #TeamTiger and is also being given secondment opportunities in various other roles around the factory.
The Prince’s Trust ‘Team’ programme is typically a 12-week personal development course comprised work experience, practical skills, community projects and a residential week, with graduation and a qualification on completion. It’s a life-changing programme designed to boost confidence and open the door to work or further training.
Tiger’s Corporate Social Responsibility Manager Alison Cartwright says: “We are very proud indeed to support our local community here in Winsford and Cheshire West by working with organisations like The Prince’s Trust. Ben quickly made an impact when he joined us on his work experience placement. It was great to see him graduate, and he has become a credit to #TeamTiger. As a company, we look forward to continuing to support The Prince’s Trust and young people in our local area over the coming months and years”.
Tiger Trailers has also helped to raise funds for The Prince’s Trust through the charity’s Brilliant Breakfast initiative which is promoted nationally each year as a way of bringing people together while generating donations and raising awareness for causes that support disadvantaged young women who wouldn’t otherwise have the chance to experience a career or generally enjoy a rewarding life in other ways.
Ben comments: “It’s an honour to have been given this life-changing opportunity to work for Tiger Trailers. I’m enjoying getting to experience working in different parts of the factory and learning new skills. The job has opened up lots of future prospects for me”.
The Winsford manufacturer which employs over 250 people is set to imminently welcome its next intake of young people from The Prince’s Trust ‘Team’ programme, who will be given the same opportunities as Ben, and Tiger Trailers also plans to host another Brilliant Breakfast this October.
