03 Nov What’s the Future career for your child?
Two local award winning companies are opening their doors to parents, teachers and young people in an aim to highlight the varied careers available to young people in Powys. Welshpool-based Dawson Shanahan and Newtown-based Makefast are both hugely successful award winning local enterprises with highly valued apprenticeship programmes.
Dawson Shanahan designs, prototypes and precision engineers metal components for use in a wide range of industries around the world, including automotive, aerospace, and many more. The company’s paid apprenticeship programme provides committed young people with the skills, knowledge and experience to accelerate their career in the exciting world of engineering.
Apprentices work alongside industry professionals learning about the theoretical and practical side of engineering. The apprenticeship training programme lasts three to four years and offers the opportunity to achieve nationally recognised engineering qualifications at level two, three and four. Many local companies offer training opportunities for teenagers at GCSE or A level to start an apprenticeship and, potentially, achieve graduate status.
At the opening evening, visitors will see first-hand the facilities available to apprentices and gain an understanding of the skills they’ll develop as part of their training. In addition, they’ll have the chance to speak to Dawson Shanahan’s current group of apprentices to find out how the program works and why they chose Dawson Shanahan.
The event is being arranged by Mid Wales Manufacturing Group as part of their Futureproofing Engineering project supported by Powys County Council. Cllr. Avril York on behalf of the Council said ”The engineering sector in Powys employs over 5000 people and to help futureproof this vital sector we need to ensure a pipeline of young people that are able to support it, by showcasing the types of jobs and the apprenticeship opportunities that are available locally we can help to stimulate interest in the engineering sector”.
The second visit takes place in Newtown “Makefast Ltd is very pleased to be involved with the Mid Wales Manufacturing Group’s planned factory tours on Nov 10th” said Director of Operations Mike Mills. Makefast Ltd manufactures marine and safety hardware based in its factories in Newtown and employs 58 people. The company is committed to recruiting young people as Engineering apprentices as a drive to support the company’s continued growth. “The planned visit is an ideal opportunity for young people and their parents to see what a successful manufacturing business looks like and experience the atmosphere and understand better what we do” said Mike, “We particularly like to see young people about to take their GCSE options so that they can make informed decisions on their study subject selections, and I would encourage young people to consider an apprenticeship”.
“As we continue with our business growth we are looking for young apprentices to join our team and earn as they learn. Our aim is to enable hard-working and focused school leavers to pursue a career in manufacturing and work towards achieving qualifications at Makefast”, said Mike.
The events start with Dawson Shanahan on 8th November at their Welshpool premises and Makefast on Thursday 10th November, doors are from 4.30pm – 6pm and guests are encouraged to register beforehand at www.mwmg.org
You can keep up to date with all the latest events through the website www.mwmg.org and via social media @MWMGWales or contact Ceri Stephens, Group Manager, Mid Wales Manufacturing Group info@mwmg.org Tel: 01686 628778.