Midlands leading surface finish company, Professional Polishing Services Ltd are keen to expand their apprentices. PPS have a long history of employing apprentices and many stay with the company to become Senior Operators including Darren Icke, who started with the firm in 1994 and who has been a senior operator for many years. The Company has been involved in many prestigious projects over its twenty-eight year history including The Tree of Remembrance which is a fantastic sculpture in Manchester.
The firm currently has two apprentices based at their Smethwick Operation; Dan Hunt who is studying for his NVQ in Warehousing with SEMTA and Kirsty Wilkinson who is studying her NVQ with Sandwell College in Business Administration. Additional training is also encouraged in-house and Kirsty is currently studying for a technical qualification in stainless steel through ISSF and Dan has competed his full training on processing flat bar.
The Company sees apprentices as an invaluable resource. MD, Kirsty Davies-Chinnock says "There is a lot of negative press where young people are concerned and we are keen to show the positive side. The young people we interact with show themselves to be hard working and ambitious; they are looking for long term careers and we are proud to support them in their endeavors."
PPS have found that the renewed interest by the media in manufacturing has given young people an option that was previously often discounted as a career choice. "Our team are highly trained and we support them in life-long learning. External certification is encouraged in areas such as Fork Lift Truck Licensing, First Aid and industry based qualifications as well as NVQ's in leadership and management. Every new skill our new apprentices learn increases their confidence and knowledge base which is in turn applied to the business - it's a win-win."
An exciting prospect for 2012 is the 'Metals Industry Apprentice of the Year' competition which is sponsored by The Worshipful Company of Tin Plate Workers alias Wire Workers. PPS are entering both their current apprentices, Dan and Kirsty, and are excited about their prospects.