Newly acquired Firsteel is working on an apprenticeship programme to replicate the project at What More.
What More’s apprenticeship programme is run in conjunction with Burnley College and the team at Firsteel is now investigating the possibility of replicating the initiative in Walsall to ensure its skills base continues to expand and retain traditional skills.
Paul Didlick, general manager, and Barry Featherstone, engineer manager of Firsteel, along with What More’s Garry Ireland, operations director, and Sally Hulse, group HR manager have been putting the wheels in motion with a specialist department at Walsall College.
One apprentice started immediately and another will start on receipt of positive exam results. The team is also working with Walsall College to find a third to work in the technical department. The second phase of the project is to provide work experience to a number of keen students from Walsall College, which Firsteel hopes will result in a further two apprentices joining the team.
On the integration of Firsteel into the What More company, Tony Grimshaw OBE, company director, commented: “The 40 members of staff at Firsteel are true professionals. The majority of the staff on the shop floor have over 30 years experience. They look forward to passing their wealth of knowledge and experience onto these young people, ensuring their skills carry forward to teh next generations.
“Firsteel, who manufacture and develop customised prefinished metal, are leaders in their field and have blended in very easily with What More group companies. We’re really looking forward to the future now and what success that will bring.”
