Newcastle-upon-Lyme-based
KMF Group, a precision engineering specialist, has taken on five apprentices as it continues to support its one-year-old industry-leading apprenticeship programme despite the challenges faced by Covid-19.
The company has seen 100 apprentices come through its training scheme during that time, including 12 adult apprentices. The latest apprentices, all 16-18 year olds, will complete an Engineering Operating Level 2 apprenticeship at KMF Group which is a four-year programme.
Keith Nicholl, KMF Group commercial director, said: “Young people have been put in a really difficult situation this year but we think it is vital that we continue to invest in them. There is a significant amount of talent locally and we want to provide opportunities for these young people who are the future of our business.
“It would be so easy to say, let us just leave it for this year, but we see the fruits of the programme four years down the line, and we do not want to lose a year of that.
“We are also pleased to have Kelly Palin with us as we always actively aim to recruit female apprentices. It is so important to give women opportunities in the engineering and manufacturing industry, they bring such a great approach, with a different dynamic and various skill sets which always work well here.”
KMF Group supports young people in developing their careers at its purpose-built EAL-approved training centre — the students complete both their theory and practical work which has four qualified teachers on site.
Providing opportunities is at the forefront of the manufacturer’s culture and additionally more people are supported as they go on to higher education at degree level.
Mr Nicholl added: “We have had many success stories that started out at apprenticeship level, and many of our senior members came through that route. They progress through the business and find roles suited to them from programming engineers, engineering planning, to business development and customer services roles.
“We’re not prescriptive as to the role they have to fill. We put a lot of time and effort into our apprentices which pays off ten-fold as we now have a strong hard-working workforce that do a great job.”