When Tom Benninger graduated from university with a sports degree, he struggled to find skilled work in his home town of Bridlington, East Yorkshire. 

After stints at a golf club bar and a kitchen extraction cleaning company, he decided to retrain as an electrician with sponsorship from Hudson Contract.

“As soon as I qualified, my phone hasn’t stopped ringing with people offering me work,” said Tom. “That’s the biggest thing about the apprenticeship – the number of doors it has opened.”

Tom completed his level three apprenticeship with a Harrogate-based electrical contractor and Hull College.

He has since won a job as an engineer at The Gas Company, which works with local councils, social landlords, housing associations, businesses and residential private properties throughout the East Riding, Hull and North Lincolnshire.

“It’s really exciting,” he said of his new role. “There is lots of room for progression and I want to climb the ladder and learn new skills.”

Tom, who has just turned 30, has the following advice for young people who are thinking about future careers: “A trade apprenticeship is definitely a good option, especially if you are looking to be employed and not struggling for work.

“Since becoming qualified I have had so many opportunities.”

Hudson has sponsored 260 apprentices since 2011. We offer financial assistance of £50 per week towards each apprentice’s wage for the first year of their training. 

This summer, we launched the Hudson Foundation to unite our efforts to create opportunities for young people to learn trade skills, develop self-confidence and get a good start in life. 

In keeping with this commitment, Hudson is headline sponsor for the East Yorkshire Apprenticeship Awards 2024. 

The programme celebrates the outstanding contributions of apprentices and organisations in our home region and culminates in a gala dinner at MKM Stadium in Hull on September 19. 

Other sponsors include manufacturing giant BAE Systems and food producer Cranswick.