Collaboration finds Birchills Automotive Apprentice

by | Nov 25, 2019 | Good news

A collaboration between Next Gen Makers and Walsall College has helped Birchills Automotive find their latest Apprentice, Alex Wilson.

The Walsall based firm, who are industry leaders in the design and manufacture of custom exhaust systems for brands including BMW and Morgan Motors, have appointed Alex as an Apprentice Welder.

“The move to bring in new Apprentices in shop floor roles is part of our succession planning for the workforce” comments Managing Director Andrew Wellings.

“Historically as a company we have always invested in developing youth, for example I started out as an Apprentice with the company and have worked my way up to Director level. We are fortunate to have world class welding and fabrication skills within the company and we want to ensure that these skills are passed on the to the next generation”.

Birchills Automotive joined Next Gen Makers to explore an alternative route to finding an Engineering Apprentice. Andrew adds: “As a business we fully appreciate that there are a significant number of local Engineering students that are looking for Apprenticeship opportunities. Being involved in Next Gen Makers has given us a platform to reach these students, raise our profile and generate interest in our opportunity.

“We are an extremely busy company, with a global client base, so having the recruitment process managed on our behalf was also extremely useful. It saved us a lot of time, only needing our attention to make key decisions on selection”.

Alex Wilson joins on a Level 3 Engineering Manufacturing Apprenticeship having previously studied Engineering at Walsall College. The Apprenticeship will be delivered by Walsall College.

Andrew concludes: “We are delighted to welcome Alex as part of the team. He has shown great enthusiasm and is very keen, something that we look for in any employee. We now look forward to helping Alex to develop his welding and fabrication skills, where he will be learning from the best in the business. He certainly has a bright future at Birchills Automotive if he continues to apply himself in the manner in which he has started”.