FIA 2016: Nasmyth Group apprentices visit Futures Day
Twelve Nasmyth Group apprentices will today immerse themselves in the Farnborough International Airshow (FIA) and the industries the event is supporting, as they develop their skills, qualifications and training. Tomorrow they will enjoy Futures Day, when the airshow opens its doors to schoolchildren from across the UK and companies engage with young people to inspire them about careers in the industry.
Nasmyth Group has a good track record with apprentices, who make up 10% of its total workforce. The company has a retention rate of 83% for apprentices that have been recruited and trained over the years. The Nasmyth Academy was opened last year to provide a focus for the company's investment in the apprenticeship schemes that are run across the Group.
Incorporating 13 precision engineering businesses in four specialised divisions (Systems and Defence, Metallics, Technologies and Metal Treatments) Nasmyth Group offers apprentices a range of opportunities to develop skills in safety critical components, assembling and testing complex structures, purchasing specialist materials and scheduling factory output. The apprentices have the opportunity to acquire a whole range of technical, management and administrative skills that are wholly supportive of the UK aerospace industry.
Peter Smith, Nasmyth (above) CEO said: "It's important for us to support and develop our apprentices as much as we can. I hope that by giving this young team the opportunity to meet customers, suppliers and partners and experience all elements of the industry in which they are training, they will be inspired and encouraged in their career."
"Our apprentices can progress in a range of fields and specialisms across the group of companies. We have many who have progressed to HNC/HND and reached leadership positions. We support our apprentices in gaining practical experience across a wide range of roles and this continues across the company as we support our people to obtain qualifications right through to degree, Six Sigma and MBA level."
Nasmyth Group also offers work experience to pupils aged 16 to experience the aerospace and defence industries. Last year a French student earned A+ for her work with Nasmyth and has just accepted a 3rd year placement with the French National Centre of Space Studies as a result of her grades.
Nasmyth Apprentices at Farnborough
Matthew Williams
Matthew has completed his NVQ level 3 apprenticeship and is now working towards his HND in Mechanical Engineering, having competed both year 1 and 2 of his HNC course in Mechanical Engineering. Matthew hopes to continue his studies to becomes a fully qualified engineer and is busy developing skills in advanced larger complex fabrications so that he is able to support the senior fabricators where required.
Nathan Westwood
Nathan has become an integral part of the Quality team in a relatively short period of time. Having achieving a First Class with Honours Mechanical Engineering Degree at Birmingham City University, Nathan is now working closely with the engineers at Nasmyth Group to develop his overall technical understanding of welded assemblies. Nathan's current role is a Quality Technician and his work during the recent AS9100 audit proved invaluable.
Liam Brayne
Liam is a 3rd year apprentice who has successfully completed NVQ Level 2 and is working through NVQ Level 3. Liam will be starting his final year in September 2016 and is enjoying the Fab/Weld City & Guilds course and gaining first-hand experience at Nasmyth Group. On completion of his 4th year, Liam will learn the skill of Resistance Welding on his way to becoming a Welding Engineer.
Joanne Mulgrew
Jo is in year 2 of her Mechanical Engineering apprenticeship with Nasmyth Group's Chinn Ltd, after spending her school holidays with the company and experiencing welding, pneumatics, turning, milling and seam welding. When Jo completes her apprenticeship she will be a qualified Quality Engineer.