Oil mist collector manufacturer, Filtermist, is delighted to announce that it has added two Engineering apprentices to its workforce since moving to the T54 Business Park in Telford last month.
18 year old Lewis Moore from Highley and 19 year old Charly Bagley from Dudley will both be undertaking a Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship in Engineering, facilitated through Mercia Management, whilst working at Filtermist.
Filtermist was established in 1969 and this is the first time the company has offered apprenticeships. Managing Director James Stansfield elaborates, “Filtermist’s £3m investment in our new HQ in Telford was designed to ensure we are able to meet the growing global demand for our products.
“We have ambitious expansion plans and making sure we have the right people with the right skills is vital if we are going to successfully compete in international markets. The new factory has given us the space and opportunity to train people for the future, and we are delighted to welcome Lewis and Charly to the Filtermist team.”
Filtermist currently employs 55 people around the world including Business Development Managers in Asia and China, and sells its products into 60 countries through a network of global distributors.
Filtermist Production Manager, Craig Bridgwater, says, “Both Lewis and Charly stood out in the interview process thanks to their enthusiasm to gain knowledge and experience. They both feel they have a long term future with Filtermist which is ideal for us as we pride ourselves on employee retention. Some of our longest serving members of staff have worked at Filtermist for more than 25 years!”
Mercia Management connects young people looking for apprenticeships with local employers by working closely with colleges and other training providers. The apprentices’ second year will include day release at Telford College of Art and Technology with additional training provide by Mercia Management.
Lewis and Charly will be assessed throughout their training by Mercia’s Engineering NVQ Assessor, Mike Satterthwaite, who comments, “We are very pleased to have successfully placed Lewis and Charly with such an ambitious company. A career in engineering offers huge opportunities for young people and companies like Filtermist are proof that manufacturing in the 21st Century is light years away from the image the industry previously had.
“The UK’s manufacturing sector plays a vital role in the nation’s economy – particularly through companies like Filtermist that successfully export. ‘Made in the UK’ still holds a lot of weight overseas so it’s vital that our young people are equipped with the skills needed to ensure the UK retains its position as a leading manufacturing powerhouse.”
Image caption l-r: Mike Satterthwaite, Engineering NVQ Assessor at Mercia Management, with apprentices Lewis Moore & Charly Bagley, Filtermist Production Manager Craig Bridgwater and Filtermist Manufacturing Manager, Brian Lowe, at the apprentices' training induction meeting.