LOCAL MP Josh Newbury visited Finning’s HQ as part of National Apprenticeship Week, where the company’s commitment to developing the next generation of skilled engineers was highlighted.
The Finning Apprenticeship Academy aims to attract young people into engineering by offering a combination of bespoke integrated training and employment upon course completion.
Unusually for apprenticeships, the Finning apprenticeship programme lasts for four years instead of three and is designed to allow students to develop skills across the breadth of the industry and be ‘work-ready’ when it comes to their graduation.
MP for Cannock Josh Newbury said, “From my visit to Finning, I could see that their Apprenticeship Academy is clearly an excellent programme for young people locally and further afield, but it is also tackling wider industry issues head-on, including the concern that there is a lack of skilled engineers entering the workforce. I was so impressed by not only the level of hands-on experience the apprentices gain but also the support, encouragement and guidance they receive from everyone at Finning which is woven into their four-year apprenticeship. The enthusiasm and passion for the apprentices and the programme is infectious and speaks volumes about Finning as a trainer and employer.”
Craig Smallman, engineering academy manager at Finning UK and Ireland, added, “Opening the door to opportunities is a fundamental part of the apprenticeship programme at Finning and along with local education providers we have been developing a bespoke curriculum which we believe will give our apprentices the experience and skills needed to excel in the current engineering climate and beyond.
“As we guarantee our apprentices an employment offers on the successful completion of their course, we are in the unique position of being both the training provider and future employer. Our apprentices know we are not only invested in their education on a training level, but we are investing in the future expertise of our company to ensure we can provide the highest quality engineers to our customers.”
