Precision metal pressing and stamping specialists Pre-Met have recruited an Apprentice Toolmaker, marking the start of a ‘revival’ of their Apprenticeship scheme in their centenary year.
Today Pre-Met has a turnover in excess of £7 Million per annum and employs around 90 people at its’ Redditch facility, a number which is set to increase following a revival of their Apprenticeship scheme and the appointment of Callum Aucott as their first ever Apprentice Toolmaker.
“Like many engineering firms, we recognise the need to future proof our workforce and we are passionate about inspiring the next generation into skilled career paths such as Toolmaking” comments Pre-Met Operations Manager Leigh Cresswell.
Leigh continues: “We are delighted to announce the appointment of Callum Aucott as our first Apprentice Toolmaker and you could say that the process of doing so has kick started our Apprenticeship programme and led to a revival of sorts”.
Having previously studied a BTEC Level 3 Engineering Extended Diploma, Callum was successful in gaining the Apprenticeship thanks to a collaboration between Next Gen Makers and Halesowen College.
“As part of his Apprenticeship we will be giving Callum an insight and hands on experience in the majority of our manufacturing processes and he has already started a project to install a feeder on our new Yangli 160-ton press. We think that it is important for him to understand how our products are made first, before getting involved in design later in his Apprenticeship, particularly on the tooling side of the business” adds Leigh.
Pre-Met are Champions of Next Gen Makers and as such will be involved in Engineering careers talks, factory visits and work experience for local school and college students as part of the Next Gen Makers Engineering Careers Roadshow.
“The fact that we are involved with Next Gen Makers and will be gaining such exposure to young local people goes hand in hand with our desire to bring more Engineering Apprentices into the business”, comments Nathan Lloyd, Marketing Manager at Pre-Met, pictured alongside Callum and the new Yangli 160-ton press.
“Raising awareness of who we are, what we make and the career opportunities here for young people with interests and ability in Maths, Physics and Chemistry is key to ensuring a greater pool of young talent for us to choose from in the long run”.
Next Gen Makers will now support Pre-Met with the search for an additional two Apprentice roles, an Apprentice Quality Engineer and an Apprentice Toolmaker, who will follow in Callum’s footsteps.
“I am excited to be part of the Pre-Met team and look forward to building a future with the company. I have settled in very well so far and it is a great place to work. The industries that the company serves are so diverse and the processes of how products are made are so interesting. There’s an opportunity to get hands on whilst developing and learning too, which for me is very important. I’d definitely recommend any young person looking to start a career in Engineering to seriously look into an Apprenticeship here too.” concludes Callum.