Helipebs Controls Ltd is a long established engineering company based in Longlevens, Gloucester. Recruitment of skilled engineers has become increasingly difficult so we restarted our apprenticeship scheme some 3 years ago. Our only tool at the time was interviewing and assessment of 16 year olds who were looking to leave school.
To improve on this we took the effort to build links with a local school and Gloucestershire college. This is where we were introduced to the young apprenticeship scheme and the work experience needed. This is far better than the standard school work experience where it is really one way input from the employer. We first had a young apprentice, Adam Masters, for 2 weeks where he showed, due to the course he was taking, that he had a real interest in Engineering and was completely motivated. This then gave us the ability to take Adam one day per week in his second year where there is now a two way input both from the employer and the student. We are then hoping this will lead to shortcutting our search for an apprentice next year.
Ron Tyler, Director of Manufacturing and Finance, says "I would recommend, in fact encourage, other companies to embark on gettingAdam Masters on his work placement involved with the young apprentice programme".