Schaeffler wins Best Company Award 2013 for apprentice training

Working in partnership with SEMTA and Further Education Colleges, the Welsh Government (part financed by the European Social Fund) introduced the PtA programme in 2009. The scheme is a chance for young people to learn skills and gain vital work experience, while giving employers an in-depth look at potential entrants to their industry and access to pre-trained, motivated young people.

The PtA Awards, which are organised by SEMTA, are part of the annual Engineering Employers Federation (EEF) Future Manufacturing Awards. The Awards ceremony and celebration lunch took place on Thursday 14th November 2013 at Chester Racecourse. Neil Walters, Production Support Manager at Schaeffler UK, received the Best Company Award on behalf of the company. He comments: "Pathway to Apprenticeships is a fantastic scheme and we are therefore delighted to have won the Best Company Award this year. As a manufacturer of automotive engine components, Schaeffler UK has always recognised the importance of investing in its people. It is essential that we have a highly skilled workforce, and apprentice programmes play a major part in meeting this need."

Established in 1955, the Schaeffler plant in Llanelli manufactures high-precision engine components for the automotive market. The plant currently employs 260 people and is an autonomous subsidiary of the multi-national, German-owned company Schaeffler.

Adrian Roberts, Director of Human Resources at Schaeffler UK adds: "As a company, we have always recognised that a continuous flow of new engineering apprentices into the business is critical to the ongoing success of our manufacturing plant in Llanelli. Taking on apprentices each year enables us to continually develop the pool of talent and skills that we have here. Developing strong links with our local college, Coleg Sir Gar, has played a significant part in this successful programme, giving selected unemployed youngsters a real taste of manufacturing."

Bill Peaper, National Manager - Wales at SEMTA comments: "The Pathway to Apprenticeship programme has been running since 2009. The awards recognise the hard work of the apprentices, companies and colleges in delivering this quality programme. All engineering colleges across Wales are involved in nominations for the Best Company and Best Learner awards categories. These nominations include supporting evidence of why the companies and learners [apprentices] have been nominated. The nominations are then judged and shortlisted to three finalists per category, who are then invited to the awards ceremony. Schaeffler UK's production plant in Llanelli is now recognised as one of the leading lights in Wales in terms of the models and techniques it uses to train apprentices."

The three shortlisted finalists for Best Company 2013 were Schaeffler (UK) Ltd, Dragon LNG and FSG Tool & Die Ltd. For more information, please email [email protected], or visit the company's website at www.schaeffler.co.uk.