Member Article

Apprenticeship opens CEO's eyes to rise of the machines

Chief executives are more used to boardroom briefings than circuit board blueprints, but the head of the region’s largest business membership organisation jumped at the chance to move out of his comfort zone to promote apprenticeships.

James Ramsbotham spent a day surrounded by cutting-edge technology, state of the art robots and a host of the region’s brightest brains to learn what it takes to become an apprentice robotic engineer.

James took up the challenge to highlight the wealth of interesting apprenticeships on offer across the region as part of Apprenticeship Week.

He shadowed 16 year-old Liam McLaughlin, of Stokesley, who is six months into a three-year apprenticeship with Labman (Laboratory Automation Custom Robotics), in Seamer, as a robotic engineer.

“Apprenticeships are a vital part of the educational offer available to young people who face many important decisions when leaving school,” said James.

“The range of apprenticeships available in our region now is staggering. From robotics to butchers, offshore oil and gas fitters to dental nurses, there’s an apprenticeship for everyone.

“My day at Labman with Liam and his colleagues was an eye-opener. These young people are fresh from school, but are already being equipped with the skills that will help them play an important part in the creation of these amazing, bespoke robots.

“It’s incredibly rewarding to experience the enthusiasm and knowledge of the five Labman apprentices, and the important role they play within this amazing company, which is fully committed to training and helping develop its future workforce.”

Labman create bespoke robots for industrial, laboratory and medical applications. With customers worldwide, the company produces world class automated solutions, many of which are completely unique and tailored to customer specifications.

Liam worked with James on two Labman’s projects, a robot to test paint durability and another designed to analyse vegetation samples at subzero temperatures.

Liam, who began his apprenticeship on leaving Stokesley School last year, said: “I wanted to get into engineering, but wasn’t sure which area to focus on. At Labman I can try electrical, robotic, mechanical and design to see what suits me best.

“I would recommend apprenticeships to anyone deciding on their next step. It’s great to be earning a wage while gaining experience and learning a trade.”

Labman currently has five NECC apprentices, Liam, Amy Dixon, 20, of Middlesbrough,; Shane Marsden, 18, of Seamer; Jonny Hill, 26, from Danby and Bradley Aldus, 21, from Middlesbrough. The firm also has two posts ringfenced for Stokesley School pupils to start in September.

The apprentices are managed by robotic engineer, Richard Frank. He said: “I tell our apprentices that they will not get the type of experience anywhere else in the region that they get at Labman. They get to work on projects from concept to completion and gain experience in every element of the creative process.

“Labman is committed to apprenticeships. We’re incredibly fortunate to have three dedicated young people who’ll benefit enormously from the variation and experience an apprenticeship provides.”

National Apprenticeship Week 2014 will take place from 3– 7 March 2014. Now in its seventh year, it was formed to raise the profile of apprenticeships and NECC is urging employers, individuals, teachers, parents and the media to get involved and encourage people to consider an apprenticeship.

• The North East saw the greatest leap in apprenticeship applications with a 60% increase on the previous year.
• Regionally, 33,430 applications were made between August and October last year - the greatest number, 12,430, being in the Business, Administration and Law sectors.
• At the end of the contract year 2012/13, there were 1,174 apprentices placed by the NECC across various sectors in the North East.
• NECC has also seen a rise in the number of successful apprenticeship completions, with a success rate of 77% for 2013/14.

Vacancies for higher apprenticeships grew most significantly with an increase of 41% year on year, followed by advanced apprenticeships with a 32% growth.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by North East Chamber of Commerce .