Subcontractor KMF thows open doors to prospective apprentices

Taking place in parallel with National Apprenticeship Week, which commences on the 6 February, the company is, this year, looking to employ an additional 16 apprentices. With a cumulative increase in turnover of 50% over the last two years, KMF (Precision Sheet Metal) has dramatically increased employee numbers to over 350, and in addition to recruiting existing skilled workers, it has also focused on developing its own skills base through apprenticeships. To aid its apprentice recruitment process, it is hosting two open days, the first of these being on Wednesday 8 February, between 12:00 and 20:00, with a second to be held on Wednesday, 18 April. "These open days will provide a fantastic opportunity for parents/guardians and students to get a first-hand look at the potential that a career in engineering can provide," says Jenny Conlon, KMF's training centre manager. "They will get to see the factory in operation, witness the level of investment and technology that is employed at KMF and be able to chat with apprentice training staff, current apprentices and get an understanding of the Advanced Apprenticeship on offer at KMF." During the open day, in addition to talking about apprenticeships, students will be able to 'try before they buy' and, under close supervision, will help design and manufacture, using CNC machine tools, a memento that they can take away with them. KMF has been delivering engineering apprenticeships for over four years, via its state-of-the-art on-site training centre, where fully qualified teaching staff are employed by the company to ensure that KMF apprentices are at the top of their peer group. For 2012, KMF will be offering two levels of apprenticeship: for 16 year-olds, there is the opportunity to complete a full four-year apprenticeship, while for older students a two-year apprenticeship is available. Upon completion of either a two or four-year Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship, KMF's apprentices have further opportunities to study for their HNC and HND qualifications, with the potential to lead onto management training courses, along with a full-time position within their manufacturing facility. "These open days provide KMF with a perfect opportunity to explain the fantastic potential that can be tapped into through an engineering apprentice and when students and parents hear and see for themselves what a modern manufacturing environment has to offer, I am sure that the events will be a success in terms of generating interest in engineering as a career." Potential two-year advanced apprenticeship students should have: • NVQ Level 2 in an Engineering Discipline • BTEC Diploma in an Engineering Discipline or Level 2 Engineering Technical Certificate • Minimum of 5 GCSE's at grade C or above including Maths & Science • Minimum of 2 A-Levels at grade C or above preferably including either Maths or Science For a four-year advanced apprenticeship: • A minimum of 5 GCSE's at grade C or above, including Maths & Science Visit www.kmf.co.uk/apprenticeships.html/, as well as Facebook and Twitter.