Apprenticeship schemes an Ingimex first
Sep 05
Staff at body manufacturer Ingimex are being given a new opportunity to ‘climb the ladder’ through apprenticeship schemes, introduced for the first time this year.
With bad news the norm in the British automotive industry, Telford-based body manufacturer Ingimex is bucking the trend with planned investment in plant and production equipment and a renewed focus on staff training and development.
Staff are being given a new opportunity to ‘climb the ladder’ through apprenticeship schemes, introduced for the first time this year. The focus is on improving production skills and Manufacturing Manager Peter Haines is pleased by the results so far: “We currently have production staff becoming apprentices and working towards NVQ Level 2. The commitment is for one day per week off-site training funded through the government’s ‘Skills for Growth’ programme and provided by Telford College. The scheme runs for thirteen months for two of the apprentices, and their training will cover best practice in the use of assembly equipment as well as a wider understanding of their role in the business. A twenty-one month scheme for the third apprentice concentrates on pre-production machining skills with presses, guillotines, punches and milling equipment. We will be investing in highly-advanced machining equipment over the next three years, and so this apprenticeship training is to ensure that we will have the expertise ready in-house to programme and use the new machinery to maximum effect.”
Peter Haines commented, “Apprenticeship schemes are an excellent way for people to ‘climb the ladder ‘ and will help us recruit and retain high calibre staff. One appealing aspect is that it is easier to move apprentices internally within the company to develop their product knowledge and skills during their training period without upsetting our grading structure. But not all skills are best developed in-house, so the fresh perspective that college study brings – in terms of an understanding of current thinking and an emphasis on best practice techniques – is invaluable.”
Ingimex Managing Director Justin Gallen sees the benefits of training in motivated staff, increased skills and product knowledge, a strengthening of the quality culture - and ultimately an improved end product: “Although opportunities for training and development are limited by being a medium-sized family company, we have a very low staff turnover. In fact, a high percentage of those who leave, do come back again! “
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