Cambridgeshire-based Stainless Metalcraft, a manufacturer of equipment for the world’s most hazardous environments, recently recruited its 500th apprentice.

The company says that ensuring a continual flow of skilled workers is vital to its future. It recruits up to 10 apprentices a year, and more than 50% of its employees were trained at the company.

There was a celebration to announce the milestone and to mark some students completing their five-year apprenticeships.

Customers, businesses and local dignitaries were among the guests. In addition, pupils and students from some local schools and colleges were welcomed at the company, as part of an ‘insight day’ into its apprenticeship scheme.

Martin Lawrence, commercial director (and former apprentice,) said: “We are immensely proud of our track record working with schools and colleges to promote the exciting career path that an engineering apprenticeship can offer.

"It’s important to inspire students to think about a career in engineering before they make their GCSE choices.”

Austen Adams, former apprentice and managing director of parent company Avingtrans’ process-solutions and rotating-equipment division, said: “The 500th-apprentice milestone is an impressive one in the company’s apprenticeship programme.

"Attracting new talent and investing in skills training to create the engineers of tomorrow is vital for our success.”

Stainless Metalcraft (www.metalcraft.co.uk) has received national recognition for its investment in skills and training programmes, including at the SEMTA 2018 Engineering Awards, and it has been named in the Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers for the last two years.