Machine tool apprenticeships focus on productivity

Maintaining an active apprentice training programme, the highly successful UK machine building operation, Heller, underlines the importance of attracting young people.

The emphasis in manufacturing is on ever-increasing productivity, achieved by lean manufacturing techniques, lower piece part costs, better engineering practices and improved machine-build quality.

Geoff Lloyd of Heller Machine Tools said "Although all these factors are important, the one vital element is the people.

Without good people, everything else is almost worthless.

"The future of the industry depends on young people coming in to it year after year, receiving an appropriate training so they can become the engineers on which we will rely".

Heller's commitment to its - and the industry's - future is demonstrated by its active apprenticeship training programme.

20% of its workforce completed their apprenticeship at Heller, and the company currently has employees engaged in each year of the four year apprenticeship programme.

Five young men graduated in the autumn from the programme.

Heller is also actively involved in the work experience programmes operated by local schools to introduce youngsters into the world of industry.

Every year, Heller seeks apprentices primarily from school leavers and applicants to the local college.

Apprentices are supported throughout their first year of college and then start at the Heller manufacturing plant with day release to complete their HNC or City Guilds and the NVQIII in engineering.

There is no limit to what the apprentices can achieve - Heller supports its apprentices through university should they choose to continue studying.

Each apprentice has a dedicated personal trainer, matched to their personal needs, and who remains responsible for their development until they become fully fledged engineers.

The apprentices work in all parts of the Heller factory, including materials planning and purchasing, design and inspection.

This is partly to ensure a good overall grounding and partly to allow each individual to identify and develop his or her own talents.

During their training, apprentices have the opportunity to work in Heller Germany to further develop their skills and also to become fluent in the German language.

Once the apprenticeship is completed, there is no restriction on the apprentices' career path: Heller has a policy of selecting the best man for the job when a vacancy arises and prefers to promote from within its existing workforce.

"The essence of Heller Machine Tools is that we support our customers whenever they need our assistance, be it as simple as a spare part or as complex as developing or revising a manufacturing process.

To do that well, and to continue to do so, we make a serious investment in our people" Geoff Lloyd said.

"It is a tragedy that school leavers coming into engineering often see themselves as failures.

We change that, give them a trade and more importantly self respect and confidence.

We are a major local employer so it is also a way of giving something back to the community which supports us".

The commitment does not end when an apprentice completing their training and studies.

Heller actively encourages and supports all employees in furthering their development throughout their career.

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