Apprentices are thriving at Sirus Automotive Ltd in Wednesbury with support from Sandwell Council.

Sirus offers an innovative approach to converting and adapting vehicles for wheelchair users and people who need mobility assistance. As well as offering a service to adapt standard cars, Sirus specialise in converting vehicles which enable wheelchair users to drive or travel up front as a passenger. Apprentices are studying at college while learning to carry out bespoke work on a range of vehicles.

Sandwell Council has supported Sirus since 2015 with recruiting candidates for their apprenticeship programme and has helped get training as well as providing mentoring support to the young people.

The company has taken on seven apprentices who have either gone on to further study financed by Sirus or full-time employment with the business. At least two more apprentices are due to start in 2019. Councillor Simon Hackett, cabinet member for children’s services recently visited Sirus Automotive Ltd. He said:

“I am very impressed at the work the company is doing – offering life-changing vehicle adaptions and conversions for people with disabilities.

“I am also thrilled they are investing so much in young people through apprenticeships. It’s a real testament to Sirus that all of the apprentices have stayed on once they have completed their apprenticeships.

“I urge young people to get in touch with Sandwell’s Think Sandwell team if they are looking for an apprenticeship. I also encourage businesses to get in touch with us to see what help the council can offer to support apprenticeships.”

Company founder and Managing Director Simon Pearson added:

“We are delighted to be able to support our local community through apprentice schemes. Thanks to our partnership with Sandwell Council we have seen many talented individuals remain within our business who will continually develop their industry skills and knowledge. 

"This year we celebrate our 15th anniversary, a great accolade for the Sirus team. We are proud to have helped so many disabled people regain independence, and our conversions are now reaching as far afield as New Zealand. 

"We look forward to continually designing innovative mobility solutions and our apprentices will play an important part in our future." 

If you are looking for an apprentice or a business in Sandwell thinking about taking on an apprentice. email enquiries_recruitment@sandwell.gov.uk or call 0121 569 2099.