Andrew Haysom and Christopher Marrs, two of Xtrac’s current engineering apprentices, were both recognised at the recent EEF Future Manufacturing Awards for the South East region.

These awards recognise companies and individuals for their excellence in categories such as Business Growth, and Innovation and Leadership.

There are also several awards for apprentices; in particular, these recognise the outstanding contribution being made by manufacturing apprentices across the region.

First-year apprentice Andrew Haysom won the Intermediate-Advanced First Year Apprentice Award. Having won the regional award, he will progress to compete in the EEF’s national winners awards on 25 January.

Mr Haysom has already spent time in the turning, milling and grinding departments and is currently working in the production engineering department; he will progress through further manufacturing departments to gain experience in every aspect of Xtrac’s business, before focusing on his chosen area.

Meanwhile, Chris Marrs received the runner-up award in the Intermediate-Advanced Final Year Apprentice category.

Now in his third year at Xtrac, having completed his Advanced Apprenticeship early, Mr Marrs has progressed through most of the manufacturing departments and has chosen to specialise as a Quality Engineer.

He will be furthering his training and education with a degree apprenticeship, which will be completed in 2021.

Each year, Xtrac takes on at least five apprentices and provides full and extensive training; well over 50 apprentices have now been trained this way.

Their college work is undertaken at Newbury College, with practical training provided in-house by Xtrac.

Applications for the 2018 intake apprentice programme have opened, and full details can be found at the company’s Web site (www.xtrac.com).