Southport-based Lattimer — the precision machining specialist with a twin facility in New Jersey and a maintenance and repair division in Birmingham (www.lattimer.com) — has set up an academy to ‘deliver’ high-level training to apprentices. Managing director Mark Hailwood says that this will up-skill the local workforce, future-proof the firm and help to drive its international growth.

“We are thrilled to be launching the Lattimer Training Academy, which has already seen a strong uptake of recruits. As a global leader in precision engineering, we require highly skilled staff with passion and enthusiasm for the business. We have found it hugely beneficial to carry out focused and intense in-house training, where long-standing machinists have converted to full-time training and mentor roles.

“This enables the recruits to receive guidance from our most experienced team members, who have worked with us for decades. We ensure that apprentices receive a complete and rounded education in all the equipment they will use at Lattimer.”

Facilities at the training academy include a CAD workshop and an ‘automation nursery’. The apprenticeship programme runs for four years; it covers the theory and practice of using milling, turning, mill-turning and grinding machines. Lattimer funds apprentices’ degree-level studies and is currently supporting recruits on a range of other courses, including NVQs, HNCs and HNDs.