Pathways to plug the skills gap
F. Ball and Co. Ltd. has recruited a further two STEM apprentices into the business, following in the footsteps of the previous intake of six apprentices, who have now progressed on to second career paths within the company.
Cameron Simkins (pictured left) joins as a development technician apprentice, working in the manufacturer’s development laboratories to help to create ever more advanced flooring installation products as he undertakes a Level 6 BEng Materials Technology with the University of Derby.
Meanwhile, Harry Torr (pirctured right) has joined F. Ball’s IT department as he embarks on a Level 6 Digital Solutions apprenticeship at the University of Staffordshire. Prior to joining F. Ball full time, Harry undertook a placement with the company as part of his T-Level qualification in Digital Support.
Previously, F. Ball created six new apprenticeships across its engineering, technical services, marketing, operations, business administration and safety, health, environment and quality (SHEQ) departments, going some way to addressing the skills gap in the flooring industry.
Each of the apprentices has remained in employment at the flooring installation products manufacturer with many continuing further study.
Just two years after he came to F. Ball straight from school, Adam Hewson has completed his Level 3 Business Administration apprenticeship and progressed to lead a team of production operatives who oversee the processes that make the company’s industry-leading products.
A member of F. Ball’s Technical Services Department, James Halfpenny now supports training courses delivered at the F. Ball Centre of Excellence, as well as external customer support, and is currently completing his second year of a Level 6 BEng Materials Technology at Sheffield Hallam University.
Sinead Heath, who is progressing towards Level 4 of her apprenticeship in mechatronics engineering after reaching Level 2, is already working across various maintenance functions that have a fundamental impact on the business within the engineering department, including planned maintenance and repairs to ensure minimum downtime for manufacturing and packaging equipment.
- Commenting on her journey with F. Ball so far, she said: “I’m thoroughly enjoying my apprenticeship. I have learnt lots of electrical and mechanical skills working in an engineering environment. I'm grateful for the opportunities I've had at F. Ball and for the support of my colleagues. They constantly encourage me to grow my skill base through lots of opportunities.”
Like Sinead, Adam Robinson is an apprentice maintenance technician within the company’s engineering department and has continued on to a Level 4 mechatronics course.
Phoebe Cawley-Davies joined F. Ball as an apprentice within the company’s Safety Health Environment and Quality (SHEQ) department. In just two years, she has had significant roles within major projects, including the F. Ball Recycling Scheme and riverbank monitoring and restoration initiatives. This year, she progressed to the role of sustainability practitioner apprentice and has started on the BSc (Hons) Environmental Science (Practitioner) Apprentice course with Keele University.
Harry Beasley also joined the marketing department last year as a marketing assistant apprentice and has successfully completed a Level 3 Business Administration apprenticeship, alongside the CIM Certificate in Professional Marketing. He has since gone on to begin a higher-level qualification in the format of a Level 4 Marketing Executive apprenticeship.
Additionally, all of the apprentices have been involved in community outreach to inspire future generations to consider taking such a pathway into a manufacturing career, including representing the company at networking events and speaking to students about apprenticeships.
- Commenting on the development, F. Ball SHEQ manager Jenny Barnett said: “It’s vital that we create pathways into the sector for young people to support the future of our industry. That’s why we’re offering a wide range of apprenticeship options throughout the business.
“We’re delighted that all of our previous recruits have decided to continue on their journey at F. Ball while remaining in education. Everyone has been impressed by the intelligence and commitment to their work that they have shown, as well as the contributions that they have made to their departments. I look forward to seeing what they go on to achieve.”
