Metalcraft wins SEMTA engineering skills award
Metalcraft has won the top accolade for ‘SME Investment in Skills’ at the SEMTA (Scientific, Engineering, Manufacturing & Technology Alliance) 2018 Awards. Metalcraft’s award, which was sponsored by Jaguar Land Rover, acknowledges the investment made in skills by small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) employing less than 250 people in advanced manufacturing and engineering.
It was presented at the engineering skills body’s prestigious awards dinner in London, to celebrate the Best in British Engineering, and attracted over 500 people from industry including representatives from businesses like Siemens, Rolls Royce and BAE Systems.
Almost 50 per cent of current employees at Metalcraft have trained as apprentices and over 90 per cent of these go on to take up permanent roles at the company. The majority of the management team started off as apprentices.
Austen Adams, managing director at Stainless Metalcraft, said: “To beat off stiff competition and win this award is testament to the team’s mettle and the company’s commitment to investing in the future of our workforce and our business. At a time when many SMEs face difficult investment decisions, we see the value in terms of improving efficiencies, boosting revenues and reducing staff turnover. It is vital to help us achieve our ambitions for growth in very competitive markets both nationally and globally.”
This is the second accolade for Metalcraft in 2018 which is designated The Year of Engineering. In January, the company was acknowledged as one of the Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers for the second consecutive year alongside heavyweight hitters in the business sector. Metalcraft has invested in apprenticeships for over 100 years and has committed to recruit up to 10 apprentices a year up to at least 2020.
Martin Lawrence, commercial director at Stainless Metalcraft, said: “This award reflects the Herculean efforts of everyone at the company. Investing in skills helps to maximise the potential of our employees and is important to secure the future of SME engineering businesses like us. It means our employees will have the opportunities to thrive and achieve their career ambitions, and provide the very high level of service our customers demand.”
SEMTA is an employer led, not for profit organisation responsible for engineering skills for the future of the UK’s most advanced sectors
