Member Article

Nestlé UK Engineering Apprentices Achieve Highest Grades at TyneMet College

TyneMet College is delighted to announce that eight Apprentice Maintenance Technicians employed by Nestlé UK and studying at TyneMet College have all consistently achieved or are working towards distinction grades throughout the academic component of their Apprenticeship.

The vocational training is delivered by Rolls Royce North East Training but the Apprentices come to the Engineering Department at TyneMet College to study the academic elements of their Apprenticeship programme.

The eight Apprentices; Brendan Teague, 18, from North Shields, James Wilson, 18, from Fawdon, James McAvoy, 21, from Chapel House, Nicole Chamberlain, 20, from Morpeth, Mathew Newton, 19, from Gateshead, Jonjames Dale, 37, from Whitley Bay, Daniel Wilcox, 37, from Wallsend and James Dunn, 26, from Kingston Park are not only all different ages but they come from a variety of backgrounds – some were school leavers, or had completed some form of further education while others were already employed at one of Nestle UK’s flagship confectionary factories in Fawdon, Newcastle Upon Tyne and had impressed enough as Developed Operators to be given extensive training to reach the highest technical levels.

Neil Dorward, Deputy Head of Engineering and Rolls-Royce North East Training Partnerships Co-ordinator at TyneMet College said:

“The relationship between the College and Nestlé UK has been strengthened based on these fantastic achievements. TyneMet College is now the provider of choice for Nestlé UK in the region - three more Apprentices started the programme in September 2013 and numbers are being finalised for the latest intake to begin in September 2014.

“Further to these achievements some of the Apprentices have been recognised for their dedication and commitment and have been selected to receive a variety of achievement awards.”

Jonjames Dale was awarded the title ‘Rolls-Royce Engineering Student of the Year 2012-13’ at the TyneMet College Annual Further Education Award Ceremony last July and in December 2013 was also awarded the top prize of ‘Overall Apprentice of the Year’ at the Rolls-Royce North East Training Annual Awards – at the same event, James Dunn received the title of ‘Mechanical Fitting Apprentice of the Year’ and Matthew Newton the title ‘Electrical Apprentice of the Year’.

Nicole Chamberlain was invited by The Food and Drink Federation (FDF) to visit The Houses of Parliament and give her thoughts on manufacturing, her views on current training methods and her aspirations for the future. This was a great opportunity for her to share and discuss her experiences with apprentices from other organisations as well as to promote apprenticeship schemes to a wider audience.

Phil Dodds, a former Engineering Teacher at TyneMet College who now works as a Maintenance Technician at Nestlé UK, has played a key part in re-introducing Apprenticeship programmes at Nestlé UK, Fawdon, and has also been instrumental in developing this successful working partnership.

Phil said:

“Collaboration between industry and education is essential and plays an important part in supporting the commitment Nestlé UK has made to the European Youth Employment Initiative which will help 20,000 people across Europe under the age of 30 find employment; by offering 10,000 jobs and creating 10,000 apprentice positions and traineeships by 2016.

“Our Apprentices have thrived at TyneMet College and we are delighted with the up to date industry standard training that they are receiving. TyneMet has specialist, highly qualified and motivated teachers who deliver these courses which organisations like Nestlé UK need so that they can ensure their current workforce is skilled in all of the latest processes and procedures.”

For more information about Engineering Apprenticeships at TyneMet College call and speak to a student advisor on 0191 229 5000, email enquiries@tynemet.ac.uk or visit www.tynemet.ac.uk/engineering

Nestlé UK – Fawdon has over 600 employees including 64 maintenance technicians. The factory was opened in 1957 by Rowntrees and acquired by Nestle in 1988. The factory is one of only three confectionary factories in the UK, the other two being in York and Halifax. The factory produces some of the nation’s favourite brands such as Rolo, Munchies, Toffee Crisp, Breakaway, Blue Riband, Matchmakers, Fruit Pastilles and Jelly Tots.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Lisa Dawson .