Apprentice Case Study

Malton Laser Limited – Apprentice Employer

As a former engineering apprentice Malton Laser managing director Charles Corner understands the importance of developing a young workforce.

He says his experience as a trainee at RAF Fylingdales in North Yorkshire was a pivotal moment helping to shape his future career and confirming his commitment to providing high quality skills-based training for young people.

Now, 35 year later, Charles has put that early training to good use. He launched metal component manufacturer Malton Laser in 2000. Today the company employs 37 staff, seven of whom are apprentices.

Charles said:

“The apprentice scheme allows us to ‘grow’ our own workforce. They bring fresh ideas and energy and are also often skilled in new types of technology bringing new ideas and skills to the workforce.”

Malton Laser has apprentices working across all areas of the organisation. Most are engineers but the company also employs an apprentice accountant.

The apprentices have the opportunity to become involved in all aspects of development and production. This included playing a leading role in the manufacture of a new component for the brewing industry that allows high volume dispensing of beer – up to 12 pints at a time – at sporting venues such as Ascot and Twickenham.

The company is proud of the fact that it has retained all of its apprentices, including their first apprentice recruit who has now completed his training and is a team leader in one of the company’s production areas. Trainees at Malton Laser have won apprentice of year awards twice and the company was a finalist in the recent coveted Colas (Celebration of Learning and Skills) Awards in Yorkshire and Humber.
 
Charles was also recently  invited to take part in a reception for apprentices at the House of Lords to mark his company’s commitment to training.

Charles says careful recruitment is key and he works very closely with Malton-based training provider Derwent Training Association to ensure selection of the most suitable candidates.

He said:

“The apprentice scheme works very well for us –  I enjoy the youthful enthusiasm they bring to the company and I think we benefit from their ideas and energy. Apprentices have allowed us to train our own future.”

Ends.