Friction welder Thompson takes on two more apprentices

Bradley Norton, aged 18, and Conna Buckley, 19, both from Bilston, are training to be design engineers at the Halesowen-based company, which produces machines for joining a wide range of components. They are both studying for their BTEC HNC Level 4 diplomas in mechanical engineering at Dudley College. In addition, Thompson, which already employs two other apprentices, has also welcomed intern Alexander Reiss, 20, who is working in the design department on a 6-month secondment from parent company KUKA Systems. "We're very keen to encourage and inspire the next generation of engineers, so that valuable skills and knowledge are not allowed to die out," said managing director Peter Lovegrove. Image, l to r: Alexander Reiss, Bradley Norton and Conna Buckley