Caunton Engineering has completed the refurbishment of its training academy, marking 20 years of successful operation. Since it was first launched in 2004, more than 100 apprentices have passed through the academy's doors, helping to address the industry’s skills shortage in fabrication and welding. Furthermore, employees who passed through the academy as apprentices now make up 22% of the workforceat Caunton Engineering.
The refurbishment has increased the academy’s working area at the heart of the factory floor - as well as providing ‘state of the art’ machinery reflecting the company’s move towards more robotic and laser-based technologies.
Caunton Engineering held a launch event at the end of last month to showcase the refurbished academy, which combines both a classroom and a model production line to simulate the actual working environment. Guests included representatives from the local and national business communities who have supported the academy over the past 21 years.
Chairman Simon Bingham said: “Caunton Engineering is passionate about recruiting apprentices and graduates, and offering young people the opportunity to take the first step towards a career in the engineering and construction industries. The redevelopment of the Caunton Academy is testament of our long-term commitment to training our future workforce, giving them the best possible skills and experience to harness the new technological developments that are transforming the manufacturing industry.”
“Apprentices who joined the academy have progressed to become structural engineers, quantity surveyors and contract managers within the business - demonstrating the transformational impact of the apprenticeship programme, turning student potential into long-term professional careers.”
The launch event also provided the ideal opportunity to celebrate and share the success stories of the academy workforce. Mr Bingham added: “Of the six apprentices who undertook their end point assessment last summer, all have been successful with a 100% pass rate. The ongoing success of our apprentices, once in employment, further highlights how our training is consistently meeting the ever-changing demands of the fabrication schedule and demonstrates their operational value. It also means that our considerable talent and skills are being nurtured and maintained in the local area - which is good news not just for the future of Caunton Engineering but for the wider business community.”
From its inception, the Caunton Academy has been highly successful in the delivery of apprenticeships in fabrication and welding, leading to its recognition in 2008 as an EAL (Excellence, Achievement and Learning) Ltd training centre. As well as gaining an extended diploma in advanced manufacturing engineering, apprentices can also work towards achieving the Metal Fabricator Standard delivered by the in-house, qualified teaching team. The academy gained Employer Provider status in 2017.