DavyMarkham brings back engineering apprenticeships

Sheffield, UK - Following a recent MBO, Sheffield-based engineering company DavyMarkham has renewed its in-house apprenticeship scheme, after a 20-year gap. A first cohort of seven apprentices has already begun a three-to-four year programme, which will lead to NVQ Level 3 and BTEC diploma qualifications, and the company is now looking to recruit further trainees for the next intake.

The scheme has a strong local content, being managed by The Metals Academy of Sheffield and involving training courses delivered by Rotherham College of Arts & Technology and the Strategic Training Partnership (STP) of Rotherham. 

Colette Rogan of Rotherham is the only girl amongst the latest generation of DavyMarkham apprentices and already had a flavour of work in engineering, through a school day release scheme. She is joined on the course by Simon O’Mare and Martin Westwood, both of Oughtibridge, local recruit Daniel Smart, who lives in Darnall close to the works, Nathan Thornton of Brinsworth, Jacob Kinsey of Herringthorpe, Ryan Clarkson of Staincross and Andrew Wragg, who joined the company earlier and has now been recruited onto the apprenticeship programme.

Rogan, O'Mare, Smart, Thornton and Wragg all intend to specialise as machinists, acquiring skills in operating CNC machine centres, borers and presses; Westwood and Kinsey are looking to become maintenance fitters, helping to repair and refurbish DavyMarkham’s vast complement of automated machinery; while Clarkson wants to become a production fitter, working eventually in the factory’s large fitting bay, as well as off-site.

“It’s an important step for the company, because it means we can start recruiting and training skilled engineers, who will begin to take on the roles of our experienced tradesmen that will one day retire,” said managing drector, Kevin Parkin. “The company used to run its own highly acclaimed apprenticeship scheme, but it was discontinued in the mid-80’s as non-essential, which looking back was a mistake. Now, we can really start building for the future.”

Sheffield City Council’s chief executive, Sir Bob Kerslake commented: “Sheffield has embarked on a major campaign to increase the number of jobs in the city and we need to train people to take up those positions. DavyMarkham’s apprenticeship scheme directly addresses this demand and we would encourage more manufacturing and engineering companies to follow suit.”

For the trade unions. Doug Patterson, regional officer for Unite the Union, Amicus Sector, added: “We’re delighted that Kevin and his team are returning to old traditional apprenticeships. They equip young people with good transferable skills and are the best way to prepare them for the world of work. For our part, we’ll be encouraging these apprentices to complete the programme and hopefully join Unite in support of their colleagues.”

DavyMarkham’s works manager, Chris Bowler, who began his own apprenticeship at the same site 27 years ago, first contacted The Metals Academy - part of MetSkill, the strategic skills body for the metals industry - regarding the training of its next generation of machinists and fitters.

The academy’s apprenticeship manager, Simon Prince, assessed the company’s training requirements, drew up a shortlist of contenders and, together with Chris, interviewed the candidates. He then planned the bespoke apprenticeship programme, drawing upon Government funding.

The programme will include a period of off-site training at Rotherham College, mentoring in specific skills by experienced DavyMarkham technicians, an NVQ Level 2 in Performing Engineering Operations at STP’s training centre, equipped with six mechanical and electrical workshops, then a final practice-based module working towards NVQ Level 3 / BTEC qualifications in different specialisms, assessed by external examiners.

“Sheffield and steel go together and the city now produces more steel products than ever before, so there are still plenty of young people looking for careers in the industry. Although nowadays the precision work and computerised machinery require as much brain power as brawn,” said Prince.  “We selected candidates who we felt would make wonderful apprentices and want to work in the industry long term. The pay’s good, DavyMarkham’s order books are full and, I told them, if I were 16 or 17 they’d face some competition from me.”

Bowler also welcomed the return of traditional apprentices to the Darnall works, saying: “When I was young, a Davy apprenticeship was something to be proud of, especially as our name was known for quality around the world. We’re still competing on a global stage and, if anything, the standards of quality and precision demanded by customers are even higher, so we need an injection of good young people into the workforce – and we’re looking to train apprentices on a regular basis, although next we’re targeting potential welders and fabricators.”