Clark Walker has been named Apprentice of the Year in recognition of his professional approach to all aspects of training during his four year apprenticeship at EnerMech.
The Aberdeen mechanical engineering group believes the lifeblood of any successful company is the quality of their staff and recently added eight new apprentices to take the number in training across the business to 34.
Each apprentice undertakes a four year training programme, a mix of on-the-job and college-based learning using industry-recognised qualifications. Mentoring by Equipment Manager, Alan Bailey, and a ‘buddying’ link with a serving apprentice who takes a genuine interest in their progress, is combined with assessments every three months as the trainees move between EnerMech’s six business lines.
The EnerMech Apprentice Award scheme was set up in memory of EnerMech’s former QHSE Manager, the late Malcolm Kennedy, who championed the apprentice scheme and the development of trainees.
The judges said Clark, 20, was highly capable, professional, at all times supportive of younger apprentices and had a mature attitude towards health and safety issues. He received an engraved trophy, certificate, cash bonus and tools gift voucher.
Third year apprentice Dale Forbes, 19, received a special commendation and was described as an excellent asset to any workshop, who worked hard, was unassuming and had the potential to be a great technician.
EnerMech human resources manager, Gillian Slessor, said. “Giving each apprentice exposure to all our business lines means at year four we will have extremely rounded technicians with highly transferrable skills and who have a strong grasp of our capabilities. That’s good for us and our clients as the apprentices are not limited to one line of work.
“It also helps the apprentices decide what career path they are best suited to and we are flexible in matching them to their abilities and interests. It’s fine to start out as a mechanical apprentice and discover you really want to be in engineering or that you prefer cranes to hydraulics. Continuous assessment makes sure we get the best from our apprentices and that they have a rewarding career path ahead of them.”
EnerMech’s apprentices have also emerged as the company’s greatest ambassadors and they play an important role in engaging local communities and schools where leavers are planning their first step on the career ladder.
Gillian added: “The apprentices play a central role at our client Open Days in Aberdeen, are regular attendees at career fairs and have spoken at events at local academies and industry training events, including Offshore Europe in Aberdeen.
“They are really enthusiastic in helping get the message out about what EnerMech can offer in terms of a rewarding career. It is much better for school pupils to be speaking to the apprentices who are of a similar age and they bond really well. They are a real credit to EnerMech and it is reassuring that we have engaged and enthusiastic apprentices coming through the ranks to take up senior positions in the years ahead.”