KMF apprentice-trained manager steps up to new challenge

"Managing this element of the business and its £5 million turnover, as well as managing the expected 25% growth in sales, is daunting. However, I feel that my apprenticeship has prepared me well for the challenge. Being given this responsibility at such a young age is testament to the faith that KMF put in me; and also the structure of the apprenticeship programme that they have put together. "My apprenticeship at KMF created the foundations for me to develop as a person and, while it wasn't all plain sailing, it gave me the confidence to achieve my goals and be respected as an integral part of what is a very progressive business. When this journey began 10 years ago, apprenticeships were definitely unfashionable, but, with investment from businesses like KMF, they are certainly becoming more popular and, when well constructed, they provide the opportunities, whichever route through the business you want to take. It has allowed me to develop as a person. That said, I remain extremely ambitious and want to further advance my qualifications in management and, just as KMF provides value added services to its customers, it takes that same approach to the people working in the business, by continuing to encourage personal development." Stefan Rduch faced the same dilemma that many schooleavers, whether to stay in education or move into vocational training. Having stayed in education to complete his AS Levels, Stefan had the opportunity to continue his education to degree level, but something was pulling him in another direction. "After all these years at school, I knew I wanted something different and to be able to gain some experience in the 'real world'. Apprenticeships had been discussed, but it was the offer from KMF (Precision Sheet Metal) that really made my mind up, as it offered a well-rounded programme that involved shopfloor, office and business development training. It was this latter element that really caught my attention, as I always had a desire to learn how a business functioned and the fact that this formed part of KMF's apprenticeship was exciting to me. "Upon joining KMF, one of the first things that we did as apprentices was lay out our own five year plans and I knew from the outset that I wanted to manage, but I had no idea what I wanted to manage or how it would happen. This desire was probably derived from watching my father, who worked to great success in the pottery industry in various management roles. By taking the apprenticeship route to further my education and the opportunity to combine vocational and academic experience into a single training package has allowed me to achieve my goals. I feel that the training moulded me into the person I have become and I am better prepared for the roles that KMF are asking me to fill. KMF, which now undertakes all of its apprentice training in-house, recognised Stefan's enthusiasm and guided him to a more analytical role within the business. Initially, this saw him working in the purchasing department with a position as a company buyer, where he was responsible for managing a spend in excess of £3.5 million. In addition, he was also offered further training, completing both HNC and HND in Mechanical Engineering, along with level five of the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply's qualification. "In early 2010, an opportunity arose to move from purchasing into a more 'hands on' production management role within KMF's medical integration facility, which saw him overseeing the procurement and production of medical instrumentation, including Mass Spectrometers. Soon afterwards, additional responsibility for a major customer in the aerospace was given to me. This paved the way for my current position as Advanced Solutions manager."