News: A new era for apprenticeships in Rotherham

Newburgh Engineering, in partnership with Brinsworth Training and Air Accessories, is pioneering a new approach to apprenticeships, designed to create a highly skilled breed of young engineers.

The Rotherham-based company came up with the idea for the "new era programme" after talking to other engineering businesses about joining together to address the lack of skilled entrants to the industry.

Air Accessories, which is based in Sheffield and specialises in pneumatic and automotive engineering, came on board straight away and offered to sponsor two apprentices, with Newburgh Engineering sponsoring a further seven young people, all of which have now began this exciting new pilot programme developed by Brinsworth Training.

Vincent Middleton, managing director of Newburgh Engineering, said: "This region is renowned for its expertise in precision engineering on an international scale. To keep ahead of the competition, we need to invest in our young engineers to ensure that they have the skills and abilities to add value to a business from the start, making them more job-ready, productive and employable.

"We wanted to create a new programme, which meant apprentices spent longer with the training provider learning the required skills to make them more effective in their roles, whilst removing the need for day release.

"The aim is that when they join a company like ours they are already well on the way to being productive and can make a difference from the start, for the benefit of everyone."

Mick Crossley, director of Brinsworth Training, said: "This programme is totally unique as it is created by employers for employers.

"We have invested heavily as a business in developing this new style of apprenticeship, as part of helping to fill the skills gap that exists, particularly in precision engineering.

"It is really exciting to be involved in a ground breaking programme like this which uses the existing apprenticeship structure, but enhances it to create a more in-depth, intense and slightly longer placement period prior to apprentices entering the workplace.

"There are set to be huge benefits both for the companies involved and the apprentices and we can’t wait to see the results."

With the first new era programme now underway, Brinsworth Training is already planning for the second cohort of apprentices to begin the next course, starting in February 2010.

Newburgh website
Brinsworth Training website
Rotherham

Images: Newburgh