“You’re hired” – apprentices secure jobs on Halton’s iconic bridge project
Two local apprentices who spent a year working on Halton’s iconic bridge project have secured full-time jobs with Merseylink.
Lyndsey Carlile of Appleton in Widnes, and Rebecca Cooke of Castlefields in Runcorn, have been hired to work on the Mersey Gateway Project after completing paid apprenticeships with the construction consortium.

Merseylink apprentices Rebecca Cooke and Lyndsey Carlile have secured jobs on the Mersey Gateway Project
Lyndsey has been employed as a data input clerk, and Rebecca has been taken on as an administrator.
The pair first joined the project in September 2014 as business administration apprentices, after successfully completing Merseylink’s pre-employment course.
They spent 12 months gaining practical work experience in a construction office environment, which involved everything from dealing with general enquiries and looking after visitors to managing meeting room diaries and filing documents.
Lyndsey spent the year on the reception desk at the project’s head office in Widnes, while Rebecca was based at a construction site office in Runcorn.
As well as bagging themselves new jobs, the girls are also celebrating achieving their NVQ Level 2 in Business Administration, which they studied for at Riverside College as part of their apprenticeship.
Lyndsey said: “The apprenticeship has been a fantastic experience and I’ve learnt a lot of new skills. The best thing about it is that it’s given me the opportunity to get a job after being out of work for so long. I’m ecstatic!”
Rebecca said: “I feel truly happy in this job. Every day is different and everyone is really nice and supportive. My confidence has gone right up. I worked in retail before so it’s a total career change for me but definitely one for the better.”
Merseylink and its subcontractors have taken on 18 apprentices so far in administration, accountancy, IT, general construction, quantity surveying and steel fixing.
The paid apprenticeship roles complement the other jobs, which are being created during the three-and-a-half year construction project.
Neil Wilcock, Employment and Skills Coordinator at Merseylink, said: “Our apprenticeship scheme is enabling us to create employment opportunities for local people and to develop our workforce. Lyndsey and Becky have worked extremely hard since joining us last year. Congratulations to them both for completing their training and securing jobs on the project.”
Councillor Rob Polhill, Leader of Halton Borough Council and Chair of the Mersey Gateway Crossings Board, said: “This project has always been about more than just a bridge. The Mersey Gateway has aimed right from the beginning to create employment and training opportunities for local people and the fantastic success of Lyndsey and Rebecca is one of many great examples of this.
“Even more jobs, apprenticeships and training opportunities will be created as construction continues and I would encourage local people to get in touch with Merseylink to find out more.”
For more information about the training and employment opportunities available, email opportunities@merseylink.com.