Custom Composites is demonstrating its commitment to investing in young people by taking on two new apprentices.
Teenagers Josh Newport and Ross Gaynor started work at the Rochdale Company on Monday, March 9 – which, appropriately, was the start of National Apprenticeship Week.
Andy States, production manager at Custom Composites, said: “We had two 16 year old apprentices starting with us on Monday. I am really keen to invest in young people. Starting off myself as an apprentice 29 years ago I want to give another youngster the same opportunity that I was given.”
“From past experiences, apprentices have just been shoehorned into a business, and they’ve not really wanted to be in. But this time, we took on four lads each doing three week work experiences, so they could see if our type of business was right for them. This means we’ve got two really keen apprentices. “They are on the manufacturing process programme, which is quite flexible and the work they do here will go towards their NVQ level 2.”
Josh and Ross are with the company full time at the moment, but will be going on day release to a training centre in Rochdale.
Andy added: “They will have the opportunity to get fully involved in all aspects of the business on the engineering and manufacturing side, and will be learning drilling, rolling, milling winding tubes, painting etc. They’ll learn it all.”
“I’m really delighted we can do this – it’s growing our own local talent.” Custom Composites, which is part of the Attwater Group, has also taken on three new machine operators since November.
Andy explained: “Business is going great at the moment. We’re seeing a really big demand for carbon fibre tubes in particular – they are one of our best sellers – This is because the quality is right.”
“We’ve been making carbon fibre tubes since the beginning and because they’re all made here on site, we’re not afraid of small quantities. We have loads of experience and this helps to ensure our customers get exactly what they need.”
National Apprenticeship Week, which is co-ordinated by the Skills Funding Agency, includes hundreds of events and activities across England.
