News: Back to the floor at Maple Leaf Bakery
Apprentices have become an integral part of the engineering team at Maple Leaf Bakery in Rotherham, as one college manager found out when she went back to the floor.
Louisa Wall, deputy head of engineering at Rotherham College of Arts and Technology (RCAT), visited one of her students at his place of work at the huge bakery in Swinton.
She said: "It is important to see what our students are doing in the work place. That way we know what we can do to support them and further their skills more while they are at college.
"Having close links to industry is paramount for us – how else can we ensure the skills we are teaching are the right skills for the work force of the future?"
Karl Jackson, 21, started his Advanced Apprenticeship in Engineering and Manufacturing in 2011. He trains in the engineering department at the Maple Leaf Bakery and has become a vital part of the team that keeps the 24 hour production line moving.
He said: "I'm really enjoying it. I have learnt so much and the skills I am going to take forwards, obviously, for the rest of my life."
The bakery is the largest manufacturer of bagels in Europe, producing 6-7 million bagels per week for several companies including the New York Bakery Co. The Canadian-owned firm announced major UK expansion plans in 2011 including an £11.5m investment in the Rotherham facility.
Paul Groves, engineering controller at Maple Leaf Bakery, said: "It's about time control – you have to answer for every minute. The engineering team I have here are the best I have worked with."
The company have decided to take on apprentices for the next four years to help them further develop the skills they need in their engineers. To ensure no time is lost during production, the company needs a team of specialist engineers to make sure the machines are in working order.
Maple Leaf Bakery website
RCAT website
Images: RCAT
Louisa Wall, deputy head of engineering at Rotherham College of Arts and Technology (RCAT), visited one of her students at his place of work at the huge bakery in Swinton.
She said: "It is important to see what our students are doing in the work place. That way we know what we can do to support them and further their skills more while they are at college.
"Having close links to industry is paramount for us – how else can we ensure the skills we are teaching are the right skills for the work force of the future?"
Karl Jackson, 21, started his Advanced Apprenticeship in Engineering and Manufacturing in 2011. He trains in the engineering department at the Maple Leaf Bakery and has become a vital part of the team that keeps the 24 hour production line moving.
He said: "I'm really enjoying it. I have learnt so much and the skills I am going to take forwards, obviously, for the rest of my life."
The bakery is the largest manufacturer of bagels in Europe, producing 6-7 million bagels per week for several companies including the New York Bakery Co. The Canadian-owned firm announced major UK expansion plans in 2011 including an £11.5m investment in the Rotherham facility.
Paul Groves, engineering controller at Maple Leaf Bakery, said: "It's about time control – you have to answer for every minute. The engineering team I have here are the best I have worked with."
The company have decided to take on apprentices for the next four years to help them further develop the skills they need in their engineers. To ensure no time is lost during production, the company needs a team of specialist engineers to make sure the machines are in working order.
Maple Leaf Bakery website
RCAT website
Images: RCAT
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