A collaboration between Next Gen Makers and Sandwell College has helped aluminum heat treatment specialists Alloy Heat Treatment (AHT) find their latest Apprentice, Thomas Embrey.

The success follows a long wait for the Dudley based firm, who initially found the search challenging despite promoting the opportunity through a number of the usual channels.

“As part of our succession planning for the workforce we identified a number of Apprenticeship opportunities within the company” comments Frank Butler, HR Director at Alloy Heat Treatment.

“We already have a number of apprentices progressing well within the company, but it seemed to be taking a while to find the right individual for our latest role”.Keen to explore new ways to find apprentices and contribute to inspiring the next generation locally to consider a career in industry, Alloy Heat Treatment joined as Champions of Next Gen Makers.

“AHT were promoted to engineering students in a number of our College Engineering Careers workshops at local Colleges, including Sandwell College” says Adam Tipper, Director of Next Gen Makers. “Following a successful work experience placement, Thomas Embrey, at the time a first year student studying a Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Engineering, was successful in gaining the Apprenticeship.

“This further demonstrates the suitability of full time College Engineering students, to then go on to gain Apprenticeships with local employers”.

Thomas, pictured with AHT Quality Director Steve Roberts, joins the company as an Apprentice Quality Engineer and part of his apprenticeship will involve him working towards a Level 3 NVQ Extended Diploma in Maintenance (QCF) in addition to accompanying technical certificates.

“Thomas has a great attitude coupled with a good grounding in the principles of engineering and we are sure he will become an integral part of the team here at AHT in years to come. We welcome him on board and look forward to supporting him throughout his apprenticeship and beyond” concludes Frank Butler.