March 2026, JMAC Group Ltd and NETA Training Group
In the engineering construction industry, the need for a skilled and future‑ready workforce has never been more urgent. With an ageing workforce and a national shortage of qualified labour, employers and training providers must recognise that collaboration is not just beneficial, but essential.
The partnership between JMAC Group Ltd and NETA Training Group is a compelling example of how coordinated effort can introduce new talent into the sector while upskilling existing employees. Their shared commitment to quality training, strong communication and long‑term workforce development is producing award‑winning results.
A Strategic Partnership Built on Shared Goals
JMAC Group, a national multi‑disciplinary access services business, has long understood the importance of investing in people. From scaffolding and rope access to fall‑prevention solutions, the company relies on a workforce with specialist skills that must be continually refreshed.
HR Director Nathan Raine explains that the company’s approach is two‑fold: “We recognised that we need to upskill people already within the workforce and also bring new people into the workforce via apprenticeships.”
For JMAC, NETA has become a trusted partner in achieving this. Their collaboration spans several years, with NETA providing both apprenticeship pathways and ongoing training for existing staff. Nathan highlights the strength of the relationship: “NETA has really proved over those years just how strong this relationship is… the communication that we have has really proven successful.”
This partnership has already produced two NASC Apprentice of the Year winners, an unprecedented achievement that demonstrates the impact of consistent, high‑quality training and employer engagement.
Apprenticeship Success in Action
One of those success stories is Rhys Bennet, who joined JMAC as a scaffolding apprentice just 18 months ago. Today, he is fully qualified and has already worked on major projects across the UK, such as the Gatwick Airpot and Forth Rail Bridge and internationally in Las Vegas and Italy.
Rhys credits both JMAC and NETA for the support that shaped his journey:
“The company supported me a lot during my training… they helped me with the full training course requirements and gave me a lot of opportunities to work on tools.”
His apprenticeship followed a structured rhythm: two weeks at college every three months, allowing him to learn theory, return to the site to apply it, and then build on that knowledge in the next block. Regular assessor visits ensured he stayed on track, while additional courses, such as PTS, system scaffolding, and rescue training, broadened his capabilities.
Rhys’s achievements speak for themselves: he was nominated for and won NASC Apprentice of the Year and Redcar & Cleveland College’s Scaffolding Apprentice of the Year. His experience demonstrates how a well‑supported apprenticeship can accelerate both confidence and competence.
Training Providers as Workforce Partners
For NETA, the partnership with JMAC is equally valuable. As Training Manager Brian Ward explains, the organisation’s mission is to deliver a skilled workforce equipped with up‑to‑date knowledge and practical ability.
NETA’s recent £4.7 million investment in its new training centre and its Ofsted Outstanding rating reflect this commitment. But Brian emphasises that the success of an apprenticeship programme relies on more than facilities; it depends on employers who are actively engaged.
“The beauty of JMAC is if there’s an issue or communication to be done, they are the first to ring back, the first to offer solutions and the first to offer support,” he says.
This responsiveness, combined with JMAC’s rigorous selection process and hands‑on management support, creates the conditions apprentices need to thrive.
With industry data showing that 1,460 manual workers are expected to retire in the next two years, Brian stresses the urgency of coordinated action. Apprenticeships, he says, are essential to “plug the gap” and ensure the sector has a workforce that not only meets but exceeds industry standards.
A Model for the Industry
The engineering construction sector faces significant challenges, but partnerships like the one between JMAC and NETA demonstrate what is possible when employers and training providers work as one. Together, they are not only developing skilled individuals but also strengthening the future of the industry.
As Nathan Raine puts it, “Partnering with the likes of NETA is really useful because we’re not only benefiting the people who are coming through and going on to have successful careers, it benefits us from a commercial and operational point of view as well.”
And ultimately, that is the heart of effective workforce development: a shared investment that delivers value for individuals, employers and the wider industry.