In the past year, Master Abrasives (www.master-abrasives.co.uk) has taken on two new apprentices in its tool services and production departments.

Managing director Paul Batson, who advocates apprenticeships and initiatives encouraging young people to pursue a STEM career, said: “We are supporting apprenticeships to ensure that Britain remains at the forefront of technological developments.

These positions get young people into the business, so they can build knowledge and gain a valuable variety of experience.

“We are involved with the local charitable organisation Northamptonshire Industrial Training Association Ltd — NITAL — which delivers a wide range of level 2, 3 and 4 apprenticeships and has its own purpose-built training centre in Kettering.

“I’m working on the board of trustees to help steer the organisation on what skills employers are looking for in new staff and to ensure that the training needs of Northamptonshire and surrounding areas are met.”

James Wilson is Master Abrasive’s new Manufacturing Apprentice.

He joined the production team in February and is being trained to become an operator in the Master Abrasives belt conversion facility in Daventry.

Lee Noonan joined the company as a technician apprentice in the company’s tool services department in 2016.

He is well on the way to achieving his formal qualifications via one day a week at NITAL and four days ‘on the job’, working alongside tool services technicians and completing statutory work assignments.