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Metals and Minerals Processing News
News Release from: DavyMarkham
Edited by the Processingtalk Editorial
Team on 11 October 2007
Engineering apprenticeship scheme
re-established
Sheffield heavy engineering concern DavyMarkham, currently enjoying strong order books after a recent MBO, has renewed its in-house apprenticeship scheme, after a twenty year gap
The first cohort of seven apprentices has already begun a 3-4 year programme, which will lead to NVQ Level 3 and BTEC diploma qualifications, and the company is now looking to recruit further trainees for the next intake The scheme has a strong local content, being managed by The Metals Academy of Sheffield and involving training courses delivered by Rotherham College of Arts and Technology and the Strategic Training Partnership (STP) of Rotherham
This article was originally published on Processingtalk on 17 Mar 2008 at 8.00am (UK)
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It has been welcomed by Sir Bob Kerslake, Chief Executive of Sheffield City Council, and by the regional office of Unite the Union, Britain's biggest trade union, which counts many members amongst the workforce at the DavyMarkham Darnall Works on Prince of Wales Road.
Sixteen year old Colette Rogan of Rotherham is the only girl amongst the latest generation of DavyMarkham apprentices and already had a flavour of work in engineering, through a school day release scheme.
She is joined on the course by Simon O'Mare (20) and Martin Westwood (19), both of Oughtibridge, local recruit Daniel Smart (17), who lives in Darnall close to the works, Nathan Thornton (17) of Brinsworth, Jacob Kinsey (18) of Herringthorpe, Ryan Clarkson (16) of Staincross and 19 year old Andrew Wragg, who joined the company earlier and has now been recruited onto the apprenticeship programme.
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Colette, Simon, Daniel, Nathan and Andrew all intend to specialise as Machinists, acquiring skills in operating CNC machining centres, borers and presses; Martin and Jacob are looking to become Maintenance Fitters, helping to repair and refurbish the vast complement of DavyMarkham automated machinery; while Ryan wants to become a Production Fitter, working eventually in the large fitting bay, as well as off-site.
"It's an important step for the company, because it means we can start recruiting and training skilled engineers, who will begin to take on the roles of our experienced tradesmen that will one day retire," says Managing Director, Kevin Parkin: "The company used to run its own highly acclaimed apprenticeship scheme, but it was discontinued in the mid-80's as non-essential, which looking back was a mistake.
Now, we can really start building for the future".
The city's Chief Executive, Sir Bob Kerslake, has applauded the initiative: "Sheffield has embarked on a major campaign to increase the number of jobs in the city and we need to train people to take up those positions.
The DavyMarkham apprenticeship scheme directly addresses this demand and we would encourage more manufacturing and engineering companies to follow suit".
Doug Patterson, Regional Officer for Unite the Union, Amicus Sector, who has been kept fully abreast of developments, is equally enthusiastic about the scheme: "It's good to see a company going forward and looking to build its skills base from the bottom up and I'm especially pleased to see a young woman choosing engineering as a career," he says: "We're delighted that Kevin and his team are returning to old traditional apprenticeships.
They equip young people with good transferable skills and are the best way to prepare them for the world of work.
For our part, we'll be encouraging these apprentices to complete the programme and hopefully join Unite in support of their colleagues".
It was the DavyMarkham Works Manager, Chris Bowler, who began his own apprenticeship at the same site 27 years ago, that first contacted The Metals Academy - part of MetSkill, the strategic skills body for the metals industry - regarding the training of its next generation of machinists and fitters.
The academy's Apprenticeship Manager, Simon Prince, assessed the company training requirements, drew up a shortlist of contenders and, together with Chris, interviewed the candidates, arriving at the 'magnificent seven'.
He then planned the bespoke apprenticeship programme, drawing upon Government funding, which will include a period of off-site training at Rotherham College, mentoring in specific skills by experienced DavyMarkham technicians, an NVQ Level 2 in Performing Engineering Operations at the STP training centre, equipped with six mechanical and electrical workshops, then a final practice-based module working towards NVQ Level 3 / BTEC qualifications in different specialisms, assessed by external examiners.
"Sheffield and steel go together and the city now produces more steel products than ever before, so there are still plenty of young people looking for careers in the industry.
Although nowadays the precision work and computerised machinery require as much brain power as brawn," says Simon Prince: "We selected candidates who we felt would make wonderful apprentices and want to work in the industry long term.
The pay is good, DavyMarkham's order books are full and, I told them, if I were 16 or 17 they'd face some competition from me!" Chris Bowler also welcomes the return of traditional apprentices to the Darnall works: "When I was young, a Davy apprenticeship was something to be proud of, especially as our name was known for quality around the world," he recalls: "We're still competing on a global stage and, if anything, the standards of quality and precision demanded by customers are even higher, so we need an injection of good young people into the workforce - and we're looking to train apprentices on a regular basis, although next we're targeting potential welders and fabricators".
Interested parties should contact MetSkill in Sheffield, telephone 0114 244 6833.
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