Sumitomo (SHI) Demag apprentice lands job as the company continues to champion skills agenda
11/02/2014 Sumitomo (SHI) Demag
Sumitomo (SHI) Demag Parts Assistant, Stuart Brookes, has blazed a trail and completed his apprenticeship in the Parts Department within a year, gaining a Level Three Diploma in Business & Administration. The company is a fervent supporter of apprenticeship programmes which, according to Engineering UK, play a vital role in bridging the engineering skills gap.The Stoke Mandeville-based company is one of the UK's leading importer of plastic injection moulding machinery, providing over 200 customers with some 4,000 pieces of equipment across a range of industries, including packaging, medical/pharmaceutical, automotive, IT, electric/electronic, building products and leisure.
Engineering UK predicts the country needs to double the number of engineering recruits in order to fill the 1.86m vacancies that look set to arise between 2010 and 2020*. Following its ethos that each firm has a role to play, Sumitomo (SHI) Demag has taken on three apprentices to-date - a high proportion for a firm employing 25 staff. All three remain within the company and are enjoying successful careers.
Internal Sales Engineer Mark Brown and Technical Service Engineer Nick Stockton joined as engineering apprentices in 1995 and 1999 and Stuart joined as a business and administration apprentice in late 2012.
Managing Director, Nigel Flowers, comments: "Apprentices are highly valued by Sumitomo (SHI) Demag UK. They receive formal, structured education via the Aylesbury Training Group** and hands-on experience, both in the field and in the office, from us. We are committed to continuing our apprenticeship programme and look forward to recruiting more in the future."
During his apprenticeship, Stuart gained experience in customer service, identifying and sourcing parts, providing quotes, tracking orders, organising deliveries, preparing invoices and liaising with colleagues in the US, Japan and Germany. He was assessed on his daily duties, had to complete coursework based upon his role and pass exams in Maths, English and Information Communications Technology.
Stuart comments: "This apprenticeship was a brilliant opportunity to combine my interest in ICT and business with my passion for engineering and discovering how machines work. It enabled me to work and learn at the same time, which is a great combination. I've enjoyed learning about different component parts, what they do, how they work and the context in which they're used, and I look forward to increasing my knowledge, taking on additional responsibilities, building customer relationships and progressing through the company."
Prior to his apprenticeship, Stuart worked in graphics and sign-writing.
Outside of work, his hobbies include computers, drawing, motor sports and their engines.
In another appointment, Karen Lowe has joined the firm as a Sales and Marketing Administrator. Her role involves providing administrative support to Sumitomo's five-strong sales team, preparing and processing customer quotations and orders, liaising with colleagues in Germany, organising deliveries and commissioning machines, and undertaking marketing and PR activities.
Karen has over 20 years' sales support and customer service experience after working in the financial services, packaging and hot-stamping foil sectors. Prior to her appointment, Karen was a Sales and Marketing Administrator with a global electronic point of sale (EPoS) solution provider to the retail and hospitality industries.
"I'm delighted to have joined the company," she comments. "I enjoy working within a team, helping others, co-ordinating activity and generally providing high levels of customer service and marketing support, and believe my experience will add value to what is already a hugely experienced and friendly team."
Outside of work, Karen and husband Andy are just finishing renovating their home and are now looking forward to country walks, golf and UK /worldwide travel, rekindling Karen's 'wanderlust' after touring the world 20 years ago.
Nigel concludes: "As the UK continues to compete on the global manufacturing and engineering stage, we need to continue investing in our future talent and up-skilling our workforce. I'm delighted that Sumitomo is doing its bit to pave the way for young people seeking a future in the growing engineering community."
For more information, please contact:
Nigel Flowers,
Managing Director
Sumitomo (SHI) Demag
Tel: +44 (0)1296 739500
Fax: +44 (0)1296 739501
Email: nigel.flowers@dpg.com
Web: uk.sumitomo-shi-demag.eu/
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