Seed and cereal processor Silvery Tweed Cereals has been able to take on a new apprentice engineer, thanks to a partnership with automative manufacturer Rolls-Royce.
Through its UK-based training centre, the engine maker offers apprenticeships towards NVQ level 3 and BTEC National Diploma qualifications in mechanical, fabrication, electrical and general engineering. One of 120 second-year apprentices on the scheme, Kieran Welsh has now begun working as a maintenance engineer as part of Silvery Tweed’s six-person maintenance team.
Silvery Tweed Cereals engineering manager Phil Winson said: “The skills and knowledge that Kieran is developing are crucial for a business like ours as food production becomes ever more sophisticated and automated with uncompromising levels of safety throughout.
“Apprenticeships are therefore vital for our future growth and success, providing us with the opportunity to shape young people who are entering industry today with the latest skill set that is already playing an important role in keeping our modern production environment running smoothly.”
The announcement was made just one week after the UK’s skills minister claimed that more companies should follow the example of soft drinks manufacturer Britvic, who had announced a new intake of more than two dozen apprentices in the fields of electrical and mechanical engineering.
And in Wednesday’s budget statement, chancellor George Osborne announced a 20% increase in the minimum wage for apprentices to £3.30 an hour. The government claimed that this would make pay fairer for young workers.
Anthony Caulfield, infield training assessor for Rolls-Royce North East Training Centre, added: “Many SMEs are now seeing the benefits of taking on and supporting their own apprentices so they are trained to meet the company’s individual requirements. Our training programmes are extremely flexible, enabling the apprentices to dovetail perfectly into their new employer’s organisation.”
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