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Mettis Aerospace sweeps the board with a raft of awards for its apprentice programme
November 2007

Advanced Modern Apprenticeships are proving a winner for Mettis Aerospace.

The company has recently had a sweep of success across its apprenticeship programmes. On 13th November Tom Heath, a second year Craftician Apprentice, won the Engineering Apprentice of the Year award at the Worcestershire Group Training Association’s awards evening. Ryan Brown also a second year Craftician Apprentice, won the Most Improved Student award at the event. Ryan and Tom were presented with their award by footballing legend Sir Geoff Hurst, making it a memorable evening for both apprentices.

Later in the same week Mettis Aerospace was delighted when two more of its apprentices won recognition for their hard work and dedication at the Engineering Employer Federation (EEF) West Midlands Engineering Apprentice of the Year Awards. Ryan Roberts was awarded Finalist in the category of Apprentice of the Year (First Year). Ryan is undertaking a Technical Apprenticeship and is already showing great potential both in his commitment to the company and his own learning and development.

The second candidate for Mettis Aerospace at the awards was Steve Hatt who won the title of Apprentice of the Year. Steve fought off stiff competition from apprentices from companies such as Rolls Royce, Goodrich Corporation and Eaton Aerospace to scoop the title. Steve was presented with the Final Year Apprentice Award which included a trophy and a cheque for £600 in front of an audience of over 300 people at the International Convention Centre in Birmingham.

Steve has completed a five year Technical Apprenticeship with Mettis Aerospace, which focuses on the design engineering aspects of the organisation. He is now employed as a Project Engineer and the company has developed a graduate apprenticeship scheme to further nurture the talents of its most talented apprentices. Steve will spend six months in each area of the business including operations, project management, sales and engineering. This graduate scheme will give him a complete overview of the business and provide him with the skills and knowledge he will need to become a leader of the future.

Steve said, “I have always been interested in mechanics and the way things work. It was always my intention to study engineering after high school and I believe that the best way to do this is through an advanced modern apprenticeship.” Steve went on to say “I have been well supported at Mettis Aerospace where they have put a real value on the contribution of apprentices to the business. I am currently involved in some exciting projects and I look forward to growing and developing with Mettis Aerospace.”

Nick Blakeney, Chief Operations Officer at Mettis Aerospace said, “We are proud of the achievements of all our apprentices and the drive and determination to succeed that they have exhibited. We are particularly honoured that Steve Hatt has won the prestigious EEF Engineer of the Year Award. I believe that this is a just reflection of the hard work and dedication he demonstrates in all that he does.”

“The advanced modern apprenticeships are an important part of our strategy of developing talent from within our organisation and many of our leaders of tomorrow will gain a thorough understanding and appreciation of the business from the various apprenticeships that we offer.”

Mettis Aerospace has been developing its apprenticeship programmes over a period of 23 years, which demonstrates its commitment to the scheme. Creating key partnerships with successful training providers has been an important element of the apprenticeship strategy. Mettis Aerospace has close relationships with Worcestershire Group Training Association and Midland Group Training Services. Worcestershire Group Training Association was also a winner at the EEF West Midlands award ceremony, where they won the West Midlands Education & Training Best Practice Award. Philip Round, Chief Executive of Worcestershire Group Training Services said, “It is a pleasure working with Mettis Aerospace and their apprentices. This organisation is seeing the rewards of investing in its people and developing key skills which will sustain their business in the future.”

Mettis Aerospace also works in partnership with Midland Group Training Services and has developed its successful programme with their support. Investment in the apprenticeship programme has helped to create a highly skilled, motivated and valued workforce. Dave Shadwell, Training & Development Advisor at Midlands Group Training Services said, “I have worked closely with Mettis Aerospace over the years and am impressed by the commitment that they show in developing their people and the value they place on their employees. This really is a business built on the values of its people and the advanced modern apprenticeship programme helps Mettis Aerospace deliver on its business objectives.”

Mettis Aerospace aims to further expand its apprenticeship programme and as such will be opening the application process for new apprentices early next year when it will host an open day for prospective candidates and their parents.

The image shows from left to right: Nick Blakeney – Chief Operations Officer, Archie MacPherson – Managing Director, Steve Hatt – EEF Engineer of the Year, Karl Bishop – Sales & Marketing Director