Worcestershire-based manufacturer, Heller Machine Tools Ltd, employs 160 staff, with over 20% of its workforce having gone through one of the company’s Apprenticeship programmes. Heller says that this has enabled the company to maintain a young, dynamic and fresh approach to engineering within the manufacturing industry.
Heller is committed to the recruitment and training of apprentices, having seen how successful and beneficial it has proven, not only to the company but to the young people themselves.
Together with training provider, Segta Management Services, Heller Machine Tools Ltd. ensures apprentices have a thorough grounding in the practical and theoretical skills of their industry, as well as encouraging them to recognise, develop and forward their own strengths within the company.
Heller’s managing director, Geoff Lloyd, says “The future of our highly technical industry rests with young people coming into it every year”.
Heller has built a strong reputation for itself amongst local education providers, as it provides local pupils with the opportunity to gain a valuable insight into the world of engineering by participating in work experience schemes. Their Apprenticeships are highly regarded through local schools and colleges, and begin with encouraging school children to start with work experience. Students are also offered the opportunity to visit and talk to existing apprentices to see first-hand what Heller has to offer.
Heller training also involves employee secondment to Heller companies in other countries, to extend product and cultural knowledge and to learn another language. The company also supports its apprentices into Higher Education, and is currently sponsoring its first qualified female apprentice through a Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering degree course.
“By taking the selection, training and supervision of our apprentices very seriously, our company is able to reduce recruitment costs as Heller-trained apprentices are industry-specific and they can see their careers within the company.” Geoff Lloyd continues: “By encouraging our apprentices to bring out the best in themselves, we also ensure the future growth and development of the Heller Group.”
Heller Machine Tools Ltd is a finalist in the Medium Employer category in the national Apprenticeship Awards 2006.
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