News: Apprentices work wise at Newburgh

Rotherham-based Newburgh Engineering is attracting good candidates for its apprenticeship scheme through the innovative work-wise programme.

The programme has been developed by Business & Education South Yorkshire and a partnership of local manufacturing and engineering companies in response to their concerns that not enough young people are attracted to the sector as well as not having the basic work ready skills to take up apprenticeships and jobs.

Newburgh is a specialist contract manufacturer of component parts and assemblies for the nuclear, defence, oil and gas, petrochemical, aerospace and power generation industries. They were co-founders of the programme.

Vince Middleton, managing director at Newburgh, said: "We needed one route to engage with schools and provide meaningful work experience monitoring and grading the future employability of the young person, and providing guidance where needed.

"The "hands on" approach also helps equip young individuals with the skills and attitude necessary to get a job straight from school, living up to the work-wise description as the "ultimate interview.""

Adam Flood and Ryan Froggatt are both work-wise success stories. Their work-wise placements gave them the relevant experience and hence the edge over other applicants to secure one of the highly competitive apprenticeships at Newburgh, after impressing in interviews.

After starting a course Adam became aware of an apprenticeship at Newburgh - he applied and was given the job. The daily diary he kept during his work-wise placement meant he could refer back to and reference some of his experiences at Newburg in his job interview. He is now an apprentice at the Sizer Pelleting Solutions (part of the Newburgh Group) and is currently studying for his NVQ Level 3 in Mechanical Maintenance.

Adam said: "The work-wise programme gave me hands on experience at the job and made me feel comfortable within the working environment."

Ryan applied for an apprenticeship after having a really positive work-wise experience at Newburgh. He was offered an apprenticeship on Newburgh's New ERA programme and is currently studying at Brinsworth Academy of Engineering for an NVQ Level 2. For Ryan the work-wise programme gave him a confidence boost giving him the motivation to work hard to master new skills.

Andy Millward, apprentice training instructor at Newburgh, said: "Our apprenticeships are tailored to the individual, so we look at what interests them and what they are good at.

"The future of many engineering firms depends on the training and recruitment of the younger generation."

Newburgh Engineering website
B&ESY website

Images: newburgh.co.uk