News: AMRC help Close Brothers launch apprenticeship scheme

Close Brothers Group plc, the leading merchant banking group, has launched a programme to help SMEs recruit and train a new generation of advanced engineering workers with the support of the AMRC Training Centre in Rotherham and the Manufacturing Technologies Association (MTA).

Under the scheme, Close Brothers will help pay for 20 apprentices to learn their skills at the AMRC Training Centre. Close Brothers will fund half of the new recruits' wages during the first year and a quarter in the second, meaning participating SMEs won't have to bear the full cost of employing the apprentices until they are making a positive contribution to their business. The first intake will be in September 2015.

Based on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham, The AMRC Training Centre forms part of the University of Sheffield's Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) group and provides training in the practical and academic skills that manufacturing companies need to compete globally, from apprenticeship through to doctorate and MBA level.

In what is a banking first, the programme will support a further 20 apprentices in year two and 20 more in year three, meaning Close Brothers will be supporting up to 60 apprentices in the scheme at full capacity.

Specialising in lending, wealth management services and securities trading, Close Brothers has been a long-term supporter of SMEs, doubling its lending to the sector since 2009. The scheme is open to all SMEs, not just those currently working with Close Brothers.

Close Brothers, the MTA and the AMRC Training Centre will offer further support for participating companies and there are plans to bring the SME apprentices and Close Brothers' own financial apprentices together for team building and other events.

Stephen Hodges, chief executive of Close Brothers Banking division, said: "We know from our work with SMEs that many would like to take on apprentices but they are worried about the cost, time, and resource involved. Britain's manufacturing companies urgently need to recruit and train a new generation of skilled engineering workers if they are to grow in an increasingly competitive global market: we hope our initiative will help more SMEs to do just that. We believe this pioneering scheme will provide genuine financial support to the SME sector."

James Selka, CEO of the MTA, a trade association for companies working in the engineering-based manufacturing sector, said: "Companies need highly skilled workforces to enable them to get the most out of the latest technology they need to deploy to stay ahead. This initiative offers smaller firms the chance to be at the forefront of securing those skills for their futures. They, no less than larger companies, need to increase side-by-side investments in technology and skills to be globally competitive and meet customer demands for versatility. This scheme will help them do just that."

Alison Bettac, director of training at the AMRC Training Centre, added: "We are really grateful to Close Brothers for creating this golden opportunity for smaller firms to put fears of the costs and the administrative burden of employing an apprentice to one side.

"In addition to getting a high-quality vocational education, shop floor skills and access to employment, apprentices at the AMRC Training Centre can also be taking the first step on a road that could lead to undergraduate and post graduate qualifications that could make them company leaders in the future."

AMRC Training website
Close Brothers website
MTA website

Images: AMRC Training

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News: Nikken MD nominated as next president of The MTA

Tony Bowkett, group managing director of Nikken Kosakusho Europe Ltd in Rotherham, has been nominated to take up the Presidency of the Manufacturing Technologies Association (MTA) in 2015.

The MTA is a trade association for companies working in the engineering-based manufacturing sector. Many of its members are involved in the construction and supply of manufacturing technology; items such as machine tools, cutting tools, metrology (measuring) equipment and CAD/CAM software. Other members deploy these technologies, and some are involved in providing services to the industry.

With headquarters on the Barbot Hall Industrial Estate and a technical office and demonstration / testing facility at The Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham, Nikken enjoys a global dominance of the rotary table technology market and supply manufacturers operating in the aerospace, defence, motorsport, automotive and medical sectors.

Speaking about his nomination as the next President of the MTA Tony said: "I am very grateful to be nominated to this role for such a prestigious organisation. New processes and techniques developed by MTA member companies are providing continuous improvements in productivity, flexibility and quality. This is allowing UK manufacturers to maintain and improve their competitiveness in ever more complex and challenging international markets.

"Manufacturing technology is more than just machine tools; it delivers innovative leading edge customised solutions, often turnkey, incorporating the pinnacle of UK engineering knowledge and expertise that is implemented by UK engineers.

"As the incumbent President for 2015 / 2016, I believe that in the near future the MTA's membership ranks should include iconic British and International Manufacturing Engineering Technology Companies who are headquartered here or who have a major manufacturing presence in the United Kingdom. These organisations should play an integral part in the activities of the MTA allowing our existing members to further develop the necessary skills required to compete and win in the global field in which they operate."

Nikken will be represented at the MTA's MACH exhibition in Birmingham later this year. Taking place on April 7-11 2014, MACH is the outstanding showcase for advances in the manufacturing industry. It is a biannual exhibition which brings together all the best innovations and latest developments to come from the manufacturing technologies sectors.

Bowkett will replace Mark Ridgway OBE, the current MTA President, who recently paid tribute to the strong sales performance to date for MACH 2014 at the recent MTA AGM. He said:: "The delivery of a great MACH in April will be a cornerstone of the Association's year."

The President reminded members of the MTA's co-operation with the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) in Rotherham, now part of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult, over the introduction of a commercial engineering apprenticeship pathway.

Nikken Kosakusho Europe website

Images: The MTA

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