Essex-based aerospace and defence foundry, Maycast-Nokes, has reached the regional finals (East of England) for this year's National Apprenticeship Awards.
The 2017 awards, run by the National Apprenticeship Service and now in their 14th year, recognise employers that grow their own talent with apprenticeships.
In 2016 Maycast-Nokes became the first foundry to reach the prestigious Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers list, joining blue chip companies including Mercedes Benz, BAE Systems and IBM in being recognized as one of the best employers in the UK for apprenticeships and skills development.
Dave Blower, Sales Director at Maycast-Nokes said: "We are proud to have reached the regional finals of this year’s awards. The continual development of engineering skills is vital, not only to Maycast-Nokes but also to the local community."
"Our focus on the retention and development of specialist foundry skills ensures our continued ability to supply fully machined castings into the aerospace and defence markets. Our customers can be assured of a secure supply of castings in the long-term."
Sue Husband, director, National Apprenticeship Service said: "Our finalists show clearly the impact of apprenticeships on skills and on how businesses perform. I applaud every finalist for getting this far and I look forward to celebrating the achievements and loyalty of winners. I wish everyone the best as we move into the next phase of this competition."
Over 10% of Maycast-Nokes’ team are apprentices and training covers precision sand casting, investment casting as well as metallurgy testing, NDT and machining.
The regional finals will be held in October. If successful on the day, Maycast-Nokes will be entered into the National Final to be held in January 2018.
Maycast-Nokes Precision Engineering Ltd is a manufacturer of high-quality castings and the UK’s most comprehensive aerospace casting facility, offering fully finished precision sand, investment/lost wax, block investment and gravity die castings in aluminium and steel.