Toolmaker Technician, Jay Ross has been shortlisted in Engineering/Manufacturing Apprentice of the Year and the company Agemaspark has been shortlisted for SME Employer of the Year at the South Yorkshire Apprenticeship Awards 2024 to be held on Thursday 24th May 2024 at Magna in Rotherham.
From starting the company 20 years ago, Paul Stockhill the Managing Director recognised the need to train skilled engineers in the diverse mix of engineering and toolmaking skills they needed, as the industry as a whole is seeing a shortfall of engineers. Apprenticeships are the recognised route in the industry giving both the practical and academic skills needed. In 20 years, there have been 18 apprentices and 10 are still with the business, with the business currently employing a total of 14 people.
Paul said “I identified that the engineering problem solving nature of the business means there is a large bespoke element to the work and the best solution for the business was to grow it’s own talent to develop the unique combination of skills needed.”
Two of the early apprentices Paul Preskey and Sam Buxton are now undertaking a further apprenticeship which is a combined Level 5 Operations / Departmental Manager Apprenticeship and CMI Level 5 Diploma in Management & Leadership qualification and Luke Rivett and Craig Todd will be completing a combined Level 3 Team Leader / Supervisor Apprenticeship and CMI Level 3 Diploma in Principles of Management & Leadership qualification all with Whyy? Change based in Rotherham. All four did their initial engineering apprenticeships with Agemaspark and have progressed into Management and Team Leader positions and this exemplifies the culture of continuous learning and development in the business.
Jay had been furloughed during the pandemic and then made redundant by his previous employer, when in September 2020 he started at Agemaspark where he was able to complete his Level 3 NVQ in Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering – Toolmaker and Tool & Die Maintenance Technician apprenticeship with AMRC Training Centre in Rotherham. In September 2021 the business invested in 3D metal printing technology acquiring an EOS 3D printer which led to a new opportunity for Jay. He has trained both with colleagues and completed EOS operator training and additional software training for the CAD design software on the 3D metal printing technology at Agemaspark and became the lead engineer on the project in August 2022.
Duncan Taylor, AMRC Training Centre said “Jay recognised the significance of the training provided by both by employer and the educational institution, and he fully engaged in all aspects of his apprenticeship programme. Whether it's on-the-job training or off-the-job learning sessions, he approached each opportunity with a growth mindset, eager to absorb new information and apply it effectively in his role. Jay’s commitment to working with his employer while pursuing his apprenticeship is not just a requirement but a personal goal to grow professionally, contribute meaningfully to the organisation, and ultimately achieve success in both his career and educational endeavours."
