Ladder for the Black Country: Engineering firm signs up to apprenticeship drive

Aldridge-based RMD Kwikform creates tailored construction systems across the world at its Brickyard Road site.

They say the success of their business relies heavily on continually improving the skills of staff, and they have identified the importance of apprenticeships in developing their business.

They have now pledged to create three apprenticeships through the Express & Star-led Ladder for the Black Country apprenticeship creation campaign and eight more across the UK.

The firm has previously taken on apprentices with financial help from Walsall Council's Walsall Works programme which offers grants of up to £6,000 for each young person taken on as an apprentice.

Two apprentices that were able to benefit from this programme were Dean Maritza and Joel Brown from Aldridge. Both started their engineering apprenticeships in November 2014 and have spent the last few months working between RMD Kwikform and their training provider, In-Comm.

During their training they have been able to gain practical experience in areas such as electrical maintenance, rewiring, refurbishment and welding and this has made them much more valuable to their employer.

Mr Maritza, 18, said: "I want to thank my employer for giving me the opportunity to prove myself and increase my abilities".

Mr Brown, 17, said: "The course has allowed me to learn skills that I never knew about and because I enjoy it so much I have been able to learn a lot more that I would have just being in college."

Customer service manager Steve Turner added: "The plan is to one day have them take over the running of the factory and we are training them in the whole range of areas that this will involve. As our current staff get older, our talents will disappear unless we pass them on to eager young people like Dean and Joel.

"By training, growing and nurturing this new talent we are not only able to ensure our continued success but also gain a fresh pair of eyes who can challenge us and suggest new innovations."

Walsall Works has now supported over 475 young people in over 200 employers.

Walsall Council deputy leader councillor Mohammed Nazir said: "We are committed to the creation of jobs for the local community and RMD Kwikform are making a great contribution to this."

The Ladder for the Black Country is an ambitious partnership between the Express & Star, training provider PTP, the Vine Trust Charity, the Black Country Chamber of Commerce, and supported by local councils.

So far more than 160 apprenticeships have been created across the Black Country thanks to the scheme.