Apprentice takes top local award

At a time when many UK manufacturers are abandoning their take-up of engineering apprentices, Tiverton-based HepcoMotion continues to strengthen its commitment.

At a time when many UK manufacturers are abandoning their take-up of engineering apprentices, Tiverton-based HepcoMotion continues to strengthen its commitment.

For this manufacturer of linear motion systems this is not just an altruistic gesture, it makes sound business sense.

The company first embraced the scheme in 1993 and in that time its qualified apprentices have risen through the ranks to hold many key roles within the organisation.

And testament to the scheme's continuing success has been received this week as one of the company's current apprentices has just won the regional final of the South-West of England, Engineering Employers Federation Apprentice of the Year Award.

"The majority of HepcoMotion directors are apprentice-trained engineers so as a company we certainly do have a natural empathy with the scheme", explained Bob Gregory, Engineering Training Manager.

"But beyond that it ensures we are continually enhancing our engineering skills with fresh and talented young people".

"It's something of a flagship for HepcoMotion and rightly so".

On average HepcoMotion has employed four apprentices per annum since the inception of the scheme but this year the quota has risen to five.

As part of the national Advanced Apprenticeship Framework apprentices attend college within the four-year scheme mainly to gain NVQ 2 and 3 qualifications.

Some then continue their studies to BTech, HND and even degree level.

All other training is conducted in house to ensure the young engineers receive a thorough grounding in a range of manufacturing skills.

The success of the scheme can be measured in the company's repeated high rankings in the Engineering Employers Federation Apprentice of the Year Award.

"In the Devon and Cornwall heat HepcoMotion is up against the large number of apprentices from the blue chip engineering companies such as Westland and Rolls Royce", Gregory continues.

"Yet we continue to box well above our weight".

"In the past, two of our apprentices have secured first place".

In 2006 this impressive track record continued with two more HepcoMotion finalists confirmed.

Michael Brown was announced in third place in the regional heat and Katie Webber secured first place which automatically qualified her for the South West of England final.

Gregory continues: "To put this achievement into perspective our engineers have competed against the 250 apprentices from Devonport Dockyards in this leg and beaten them".

The South West of England final took place on Wednesday 6th December and Webber won, making her the first HepcoMotion apprentice to win the regional final.

"It's a great achievement", Gregory concludes.

"We're very proud of her".

Back to top