Encouraging young people to choose an apprenticeship in engineering was the topic of conversation when Mark Pawsey MP visited high tech cutting experts Mapal earlier this month.
A world leader in both the manufacture and development of specialised cutting components, Mapal Ltd employs 65 people in Rugby. In the last three years, Mapal has invested in the future of engineering by taking on apprentices from the local area, helping to provide the skills to secure high tech manufacturing in Rugby.
The visit followed National Apprenticeship Week 2016, where Mark met a number of businesses at Warwickshire College’s Rugby site. At the event, Mark spoke about the progress that has been made in supporting young people into apprenticeships and how the Government can continue to improve their goals.
Mark commented:
“I was very pleased to be able to accept Mapal’s invitation to visit their business, discover more about their role and speak to their Managing Director, Wayne Whitehouse, about the future of the industry following National Apprenticeship Week.”
Mark continued:
“It’s fantastic to see a high tech manufacturing business growing here in Rugby, where we have a history of engineering success. The role businesses like Mapal play in taking on apprentices is vital to ensure that we pass down these skills to future generations and continue to preserve our engineering excellence.”
Mark concluded:
“One of the great success stories we have seen in the UK in recent years is the resurgence of automotive manufacturing, with global businesses like BMW, Nissan and Jaguar Land Rover choosing to invest in Britain. This creates a supply chain for thousands of jobs in the engineering sector and Mapal is an indication of how smaller, local companies can benefit from that investment.”
Wayne Whitehouse, Managing Director at Mapal Ltd added:
“Mapal very much appreciate the time spent by Mark Pawsey MP at our company, where both his interest and enthusiasm were evident during our dialogue into our investment for young local engineering apprentices. The benefit of support and commitment for this programme at Government level is essential to manufacturing growth in the future. Being a global technology provider but manufacturing for domestic markets, our success in the UK will be reliant on developing and transferring our skills sets to the next generation. Apprenticeships offer this opportunity & Mapal will continue to support this investment strategy.”