Mark Wilkinson Furniture
Mark Wilkinson Furniture Ltd. (MFW)
Bronham, Chippenham
Medium Employer of the Year category
Apprenticeship Awards 2008
Apprenticeships have helped Mark Wilkinson Furniture Ltd, (MFW) grow its turnover grow from £10 million to £24 million over the past nine years.
Cynthia Wilkinson, Managing Director at Mark Wilkinson says: “The extraordinary growth in our turnover has been greatly assisted by our involvement in Apprenticeships. This type of training has given us the skilled craftsmen we need to deliver the products that our customers want. Developing staff who understand all the aspects of our design, build and installation processes ensures that as a company we are able to be flexible and adapt quickly to market demands.”
MFW originally started its apprenticeship scheme10 years ago in Bromham having found it difficult to recruit the skilled labour it needed, it decided to grow its own talent and invest in Apprenticeships.
Apprentices gain experience in all departments at MFW, learning about every aspect of the furniture-making process. By the end of their Apprenticeship each trainee is capable of producing a piece of furniture to a professional industry standard. This is an achievement for which both the apprentice and the company can be justly proud.
Cynthia Wilkinson says: “We are passionate about training young people, watching them grow in confidence and developing core skills. We are also keen to put something back into the industry in which we work. Apprentices form an integral part of our business and become real ambassadors for MFW. They have helped us to become the internationally recognised company that we are today. 60 percent of the apprentices we have trained are still employed within the company with key roles and the majority of the rest remain in the industry.
Andy Stiles, project manager says: “On completing my Apprenticeship I was encouraged to further my development and managerial skills. This has helped me to lead various departments in the company and gain a thorough understanding of how the business works. Ten years on, I am still using this knowledge and experience to project-manage various jobs; liaising with clients and architects on the design and installation of bespoke furniture.”
MFW apprentices become highly skilled individuals who go on to command significant salaries in their chosen career. They can work as furniture makers, project and production managers, on IT projects or in design.
Jo Winslow, training coordinator at Wiltshire College says: “MWF are an exemplary employer because of the time and commitment the company gives to its apprentices. It also supports talented youngsters who have other challenges or disabilities. It’s rewarding to see these young people grow and develop into confident, skilled employees who play a significant role in the business. It is not surprising that MFW’s apprentices achieve a 100 per cent success rate.”
MFW is a finalist in the Medium Employer of the Year category in the national Apprenticeship Awards 2008.
Last Updated: 10/03/2010