Miller UK scoops double win at apprenticeship Oscars
Miller UK Ltd, manufacturers of buckets and couplers for companies such as Hitachi, Caterpillar and Volvo, scooped two major prizes at the TDR Training Annual Awards 2012.
The Cramlington-based manufacturer won Medium-Sized Company of the Year and Young Apprenticeship Engineer of the Year in the awards organized by TDR, a training organization that brings together leading engineering and manufacturing companies in the North East.
Chris Parkin, chief operating officer of Miller UK Ltd, said: ‘These awards are recognition of our continued commitment to training and development, despite difficult trading conditions in the construction sector. Our workforce is our greatest asset and valuing the people we have is critical to the success of the company. We see apprenticeships as the best channel to bring forward and develop the next generation of employees.’
The Medium-Sized Company of the Year Award recognizes a company that has taken on apprentices over a number of years through good and bad times. The company has shown commitment to investing in young people and giving them the opportunity to progress. This year Miller have expanded their apprenticeship programme to include technical, purchasing, IT and logistics trainees as well as shop-floor apprentices. The company’s investment in training will pay dividends in the future with a secure pool of highly skilled and motivated employees.
The TDR Young Apprenticeship Engineer of the Year Award 2012 was awarded to Cori McArdle who studied at Blyth Community College. Cori (pictured right) completed his Young Apprenticeship at Northumberland College and gained PEO (Performing Engineering Operations) units in fabrication, thermal cutting and MIG welding. During the college programme he demonstrated a commitment to the course, showed keen interest in the engineering sector and made exceptional progress at college. Cori achieved 2 As and 11 Cs in his GCSEs and now has now embarked on an apprenticeship with Miller UK.
