Redditch-based Samuel Taylor Limited (STL) have taken on three new Toolmaking apprentices, further expanding their historically successfully apprenticeship scheme.
The company, specialists in bi-metal bonding and precision stamping within the electrical contact market, is celebrating 125 years in business in 2024 and has developed home grown engineers via the scheme for over three decades.
As part of a planned, long-term approach, this summer’s intake saw the appointment of three new Toolmaking apprentices, taking the current apprentice count at STL to a total of eight.
The 2024 summer intake mirrors that of 2023, with individuals working towards a Toolmaking pathway and specialised training provided by long standing apprenticeship training partner Midland Group Training Services (MGTS).
STL apprentices embark on a dedicated plan of learning within the company as well as pursuing off-the-job learning at MGTS in Redditch.
Theo, James and Jack - who joined STL as part of the 2024 summer intake - will spend the majority of the first year of their apprenticeships at MGTS.
Tobias, Owen and Connor, having done the same from September 2023 onwards, have now returned to commence in house training at STL in conjunction with part time study at MGTS.
STL Director Robert Gordon says: “We are proud to be able to give these talented young people a start to their careers in engineering. At the same time, we are building our workforce of the future.
“The nature of our engineering is highly skilled and involves working to extremely tight tolerances. As with most engineering firms across the country, we see a shortage of skilled time served individuals that fit our profile, and we therefore accept that it is our responsibility to develop our own talent. We commit a significant amount of time to training our apprentices on the job and look forward to seeing them progress within the company.
“Our apprentices can see a clear line of sight between their apprenticeship and their future prospects, with a significant proportion of our workforce apprentice trained and many supported with further training to HNC and HND level.
“There will be opportunities for these individuals to grow within the business moving forward as we help them to develop the required skills. As a business, we are committed to training skilled engineers. Everybody at STL wishes them the best moving forward and I am sure that they will all continue to enjoy successful careers with us”.
As part of ongoing skills succession planning, the company is also taking an innovative approach to attracting the next generation to their apprenticeship opportunities.
Since June 2023, STL have been scaling their apprenticeship scheme with the external support of Next Gen Makers, with a focus on implementing best practice within the scheme and building stronger relationships with local schools to nurture a future talent pipeline.
This has borne fruit in 2024, with a 300% increase in applications for their apprenticeship vacancies.
STL intends to expand their apprenticeship scheme further over the coming years, including exploring the potential for other roles and pathways such as Mechatronics, Quality engineers and Continuous Improvement.
Meanwhile, the educational achievements and contributions of several other STL employees is also being recognised, as Matthew and Troy become the latest to obtain their mechanical engineering HNC as part of STL’s ongoing commitment to higher level technical education.
Both are now continuing their journey, having started their study at HND level.
Gordon adds: “Congratulations to Matthew and Troy on their significant educational achievements and contribution in their work at STL. We look forward to supporting them in their progression towards HND”.
