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The World's No.1 Manufacturer of over centre latches
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This week PROTEX is proud to support National Apprenticeship Week 2018.
During the week employers and apprentices from across England have been coming together to celebrate the success of apprenticeships, whilst encouraging even more people to choose apprenticeships as a pathway to a great career.
It gives us the perfect opportunity to introduce our latest apprentice and share why we think the apprentice programme has been so beneficial for PROTEX. We are pleased to say that we have been using apprentices for over 40 years!
Our latest engineering apprentice is Jacob Laugher from Redditch. Jacob, age 20, joined us in September, starting a four year Toolmaking Apprenticeship that will lead to him becoming a fully qualified toolmaker.
After studying A-levels at Trinity College, Jacob went to work as a machine tool setter at a local car part manufacturer. But, as someone who enjoys hands-on, practical work, he could see that becoming a tool maker was a much more interesting and skilled profession. So he set his sights a little further…
With a national shortage of skilled engineers, PROTEX has found working with apprentices not only makes recruitment easier but allows us to tailor their training to suit the needs of the business and the apprentice. After an interview and trial day at the factory, Jacob was selected to be our next apprentice. “He shone at his trial day because of his enthusiasm and strong work ethic,” says our Technical Director, Adrian Symons.
PROTEX has partnered with local apprenticeship company MGTS, a lead provider in the region’s engineering SME sector, to provide Jacob’s training to high industry standards. He’s spending his first year under the watchful eye of tutor Rob Lewis and currently being trained in bench work, milling, turning, CNC (computer numerical control) machining, CAD (computer aided design) and getting an overall understanding of engineering.
He finds the course fun, enjoyable and challenging and is looking forward to joining the PROTEX workforce for four days per week next year. Jacob says:
“I like the challenge and satisfaction of making something, going through the various stages and processes and finally ending up with a precision engineered object.”
Jacob has no regrets about starting his apprenticeship with PROTEX. He says:
“I really value that I will have a recognised trade for life.”
Would he recommend it?
“I would recommend it one hundred percent!” he says.
Away from the factory floor, Jacob has a passion for sport, although his particular hobby is Thai boxing for which he does a fair amount of training. His claim to fame is that he managed to compete at the GB final at the tender age of 15!
“Over the decades, many apprentices at PROTEX have received their training with us and have gone on to have fulfilling and rewarding careers as part of our workforce. PROTEX fully supports the apprenticeship programme and believes it is an excellent way forward for both the apprentices and the company,” says Adrian Symons.
