Winning the award
12% of Slack & Parr's 200 staff are apprentices. Based in Kegworth, near Derby, this engineering company excels at supporting their apprentices during and after their training.
Slack & Parr has been training apprentices for nearly 90 years and prides itself on its thorough selection processes, dedicated training department and regular monitoring and reviewing. Around 40% of its apprentices are on Higher Education courses – with a target of 60% set for September 2006.
“Not only have we managed to reduce the effect of the engineering skill shortage,” says Training Manager Bryan Harrison, “but the constant source of a progressive, young workforce has enabled us to keep the company at the cutting edge of education and technology.”
Slack & Parr’s apprentices have a 100% completion rate this year, and 80% over the past 5 years, which is achieved through a dedicated training department and an 'open door' policy.
The company’s apprentices are fast-tracked through the programme at different rates according to their abilities, and parents or carers of Slack & Parr’s younger apprentices are actively involved to ensure a smooth transition from the classroom to the workplace.
Other winners
Other worthy winners for engineering included the Advanced Apprentice of the Year, John Vickery, who works in telecommunications for Orange, and British Gas Services, who were recognised in the Large Employer of the Year category.
And in a splendid result for Engineering Specialist Schools and the new Young Apprenticeship scheme, the Young Apprentice of the Year was Matthew McCarry, an engineering apprentice at Ste Benedict's School in Cumbria.
For more information, including video of the winners and nominees, visit the Apprentice Awards website.