Tipton civil engineering firm Doocey Group to host open day to find next generation of apprentices

The event on Saturday July 19 will feature demonstrations of various tools, plant and machinery including directional drilling equipment and vacuum excavators plus have-a-go outdoor activities such as pipe fitting, traffic management and a search for underground electric cables.

Taking place at Lockerbie House, Alexandra Industrial Estate, Locarno Road, Tipton, from 10am to midday, it will also include indoor activities highlighting the documentation and IT used in the field and how to search utilities to a property or estimate a job.

Those attending can find out more about the 15-month Multi Utilities Apprenticeship and  Level 2 Highway Maintenance Skilled Operative qualifications offered by Doocey with block release training at Sandwell College and speak to current apprentices.

A Multi Utility Assistant can expect to earn £32,500 per year immediately after completing an apprenticeship.

Doocey Group recently won the Growth & Innovation Award at the 2025 Express & Star Business Awards, having significantly expanded its operations and market reach.

Established in 1981 as a traditional utility infrastructure provider for British Gas evolving into water and electric markets, the family-run business experienced substantial growth in 2022 and 2023 - fuelled by successful retention of key contracts, such as the National Grid framework, and winning new contracts in regions like Hereford, Bristol, Gloucester and Worcester.

The expansion quadrupled their market share and allowed them to compete against large national and international companies. They also secured a contract with South Staffordshire Water to outsource their Direct Labour Workforce and increased annual turnover by 32 per cent during this period. The business has also diversified into major projects beyond traditional utility work, including construction, groundworks and multi-utility projects which resulted in work on initiatives like the Commonwealth Games and HS2.

Investing in apprentices is key to the company’s future and over the past three years it has hired 26 multi-utility apprentices.

To be selected for an apprenticeship applicants must compete a three-week  pre-apprenticeship programme to gain qualifications, complete practical tasks and health and safety assessments.

Anyone can apply for the pre-apprenticeship, with the best participants selected to move to the full apprenticeship programme

People are asked to register their planned attendance at the open day via Eventbrite. Friends and family are welcome to attend but each person must be registered via Eventbite in advance. 

To find out more email futures@dooceygroup.co.uk