Engineering firm recognised as a leading employer of apprentices
Maycast-Nokes team Ashley Phillips, Lyn Richer, Colin Richer and Mike Poyner with their regional National Apprenticeship Award - Credit: Archant
Foundry business Maycast-Nokes named SME Employer of the Year 2019 at the East of England regional National Apprenticeship Awards.
Apprentices at Maycast-Nokes last year - Credit: Archant
Dave Blower is sales director at the company, which has a factory in Halstead. He said the award, which was collected at a ceremony at Newmarket Racecourse last week, "rewards the importance we have attached to apprentices".
He continued: "Some time ago we identified that with skills training programmes being cut that there would be a void of skilled workers coming through, so we got behind apprenticeships.
"We provide a training room where people can do their college work, so they don't fall behind, and hold regular reviews. Our apprentices are mentored by older apprentices and we put a lot of effort into maximising their achievements - it means we benefit from having a well motivated workforce."
Mr Blower said currently the company has 13 people working their way through level 3 apprenticeships and two others doing level 4 and 5 qualifications. From a total workforce of 130 at Maycast-Nokes, around 25% of employees have gone through its apprenticeship scheme.
This includes the company's apprentice ambassador Ashley Phillips who visits local schools and colleges to encourage students to consider apprenticeships as a viable route after their studies.
Mr Phillips has completed his main apprenticeship in mechanical engineering with Maycast-Nokes and intends to continue to study with the support of the company until he has secured a degree in engineering.
Most Read
- 1 Forbidden Suffolk: 6 places you can't visit in the county
- 2 Suffolk town named one of the best places to go on holiday in the UK
- 3 Striking new seafront café opens its doors to customers after two-year wait
- 4 'It riles me to the core' - Anger as sofas dumped near Suffolk beauty spot
- 5 Man stabbed in back and sides in Ipswich attack
- 6 'The children were buzzing' - Ed Sheeran sends video to Suffolk school
- 7 Four-bedroom cottage on Dunwich clifftops for sale for £295k
- 8 Ranking every League One away kit from worst to first
- 9 Striker Jackson signs new Town deal
- 10 Travel: Stay on the UK's first floating glamping pod...in Beccles
He said: "When I first came out of school I had no idea what I wanted to do and although I was quite academic at school I started to start to look at apprenticeships rather than going to university.
MORE: Bringing full fibre broadband to the region's villages
"With university you are looking for a subject to study, with an apprenticeship you are choosing a career. The apprenticeship route has suited me down to the ground because it allows you to cement your study with practical experience."
Now in their 16th year, the National Apprenticeship Awards showcase the achievements of outstanding apprentices and apprentice employers. The Maycast-Nokes team will now head to the national final to be held in London on November 27.
